[ 1723] Covetousnesse in the Clergy, condemned.
THere is a Fable of a Widow, that being thick-sighted, sent to a certain Phy∣sitian to cure her;* 1.1 he promiseth it to her, and she to him, a sum of money for satisfaction: The Physitian comes and applyeth medicines, which be∣ing bound over her eyes, still as he departs, he carries away with him some of her best goods; so continuing her pains and his labour, till he had robbed the house of her best substance: At last he demanded of her, being now cured, his pay agreed upon: She looking about her house, and missing her goods, told him that he had not cured her; for whereas before she could see some good Fur∣niture in her house, now she could perceive none at all, she was erst thick-sight∣ed, now poor-blind. And are there not such spiritual Physitians to be found amongst us?* 1.2 such as with long or (at least) tedious prayers, prey upon the poor, and devour their houses, the purse is still the white they level at; Miserable men, that look to their own good more then the Churches;* 1.3 serving God with their parts, themselves in their hearts; working like those builders in the Ark, rather for present gain, then future safety: but as they desire rather nostra quam nos, so they preserve rather sua quam se, loving like Demas, the World; losing like Iudas, their own Souls.