CHAP. V. (Book 5)
As see how insatiable mens desires are, of these transitory things by some examples. Give Alexander Kingdom after Kingdom, he will not rest till he have all. Yea giving credit to that opinion of Demo∣critus, to wit, that there were worlds infinite, and innumerable: he even wept to think, that he was Emperour but of one only. And Croe∣sus, the richest Prince that ever the world could boast of; thought he had not enough. Nemo miser, nisi comparatus. And Licinius being re∣plenished, with almost infinite summes of gold and silver, was so far from being satisfied, that he even sighed for, and bewailed his pover∣ty. Marcus Crassus a private Romane, worth eight hundred fifty and two thousands pounds; yet never thought himself rich enough; but was still as greedy, and griping as ever. Ahab hath a whole Kingdom, yet because he cannot have poor Nahotb's vineyard, he goes into his house heavy and in displeasure, lyes turning upon his bed, and cannot so much as eat his meat: all he hath will do him no good, 1 Kings 21. 3, 4.
And the like might be shewn of all other outward comforts: For suppose a man should have all he could wish, or desire, (as it is feigned of Apollonius, that he never asked any things of the gods in all his life, but it was granted him:) health, wealth, honours, pleasures, and the like: yet when he had enjoyed them but one whole day, he would not be contented, something he would still want, one thing or other would displease him; untill God comes; and then he saith with holy David, My cup is full, the lynes are fallen unto me in pleasant places, I have a goodly heritage, Psalm. 16. 6. & 23. 5. As the worldling is not satisfied with sinne, so he is satisfied with nothing. Riches come, and yet the man is not pleased; Honours come, as an addition to wealth, and yet the man is not pleased: as it fared with Haman, who having reckoned up all the glory, promotions, riches, banquets, graces and favours of the King and Queen, respect of the Nobles, &c. yet he concludes that all is nothing, so long as Mordechai sits in the Kings gate. He had the homage of all knees but one, and was ready to burst for lack of that; he is miserably vexed, that all other men, did not think him so good, and great as he thinks himself.
Again, Pleasures come, and yet the man is not pleased: The lusts of the flesh are fulfilled by him, and yet he is not pleased: Liberty, out∣ward peace, and the like, they all come, and yet the man is not pleas∣ed: untill Christ comes, as he did to Zacheus: and then he hath