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The Worldling's inordinate desires; And why so? [ 1316]

THe Countryman in the Fable would needs stay till the River was run all away,* 1.1 and then go over dry-shod; but the River did run on still, and he was deceived in his expectation: Such are the Worldling's inordinate desires, the de∣ceitfull heart promiseth to see them run over and gone, when they are attained to such a measure; and then they are stronger and wider, more impotent and un∣ruly then before: For a Covetous heart grasps at no lesse then the whole World, would fain be Master of all, and dwell alone, like a Wen in the body, which drawes all to it self; let it have never so much, it will reach after more,* 1.2 adde house to house, and field to field, till there be no more place to compasse; like a bladder, it swells wider and wider, the more of this empty World is put into it; so bound∣lesse, so endlesse, so inordinate are the corrupt desires of Worldly-minded Men.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rusticus ex∣pectat dum de∣••••uat amnis, at ille Labitur▪ &c.
• * 1.2

  Esay 5. 8▪ Ex libidine orta sine ter∣mino sunt. Ari••••o••.