CHAP. I.
NOw for the better discharge of what I have undertaken, you may please to take notice, that a poor and malancholy man is like a City in∣f••sted with too Enemies (the one forraign, the other domestick) which can never injoy peace and safety, unless the one be kept out, and the other cast out, or which is better, both subdued. The domestick, or in-bred enemy to be cast out is Melancholy; the forraign foe to be kept out, Is Po∣verty: of these two I will chuse to s••t upon the last first, and the rather, for that this being kept out, or vanquisht, the other will the sooner yeild, or with more eas•• be overcome.
Touching Poverty, (for that error in practise proceeds many times, originally and dangerously from errour in judgement; and because a sound mind, and a right understanding of things will much advantage a man in the obtaining and injoying of a good and happy estate (for the one layes the foundation, as the other raiseth the walls and roof) and lastly, because this discourse may inrich the soul, settle the heart, and with Gods blessing change the will, as well as increase wealth (an ignorant rich man, being no bet∣ter than a sheep with a golden fleece) that so God in all may have the glory▪ I will first shew what it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and what it is not, to be rich, and then acquaint you h•••• of poor you may become rich. As touching the first of these, it is to be observed, that most men are much mistaken in judging who are poor, and who are rich: as strongly perswading themselves, that a man is so much the happier, by how much the more he is wealthier, which is as gross a de∣lusion as possibly can be; for there are some cases, wherein men are never the better for their wealth, and others again, wherein they are much the worse, as thus.
God giveth to every man a stock or portion of this worlds goods (as well as of grace and wisdom) more or lesse to occupy withall•• yea, I perswade my self there are few men, that have not once in their life a golden opportu∣nity offered them, whereby, if they neglect it not, they may live comfortably all their dayes, and to him who is thankfull, and useth the same well, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Gods glory, and profit of himself and others, he giveth more as to the servant which used his tallents well, be doubted them▪ but to such as are unthankful▪ and abuse the same to their own 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Gods dishonour, or distrustfully ••oord it up, he either taketh from them that which he had formerly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as he took away the •••• talent from the servant, which had 〈…〉〈…〉