And so of their Quaeiles, He gave them their desire, but he sent leannesse into their soules, Psal. 106. 15. They did eat and were well filled, yet turned they not from their lusts; but the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, even the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with an exceeding great plague, Numb. 11. 33. Psal. 78: 29, 30, 31. And in another place, Let their table be a suare unto them, and their prosperity their ruine, Psal. 69. 22. They had better have had no meat, then such sauce withall.
The covetous Cormorant, and unthankful wretch, deales with God, as a dog does with his master, who devoureth by and by whatever he can catch, and gapeth continually after more: and it were a marvel, that God should answer him with such abundance, and as it were, be still pouring water into that vessel which already runs over, considering his monstrous unthankful∣ness; were it not to rot the hoops and chines, that so the whole cask may break in pieces, were there not poyson mixt with it, I mean Gods secret curse, as I shall suddenly shew.
We well know, that a Ship may be so laden, as that her very freight may be the cause of her sinking. Demonioa having betrayed Ephesus (where all her friends and kindred were) to Brennus of Seuona for the love of gain, was brought to a great heap of gold, and loaded so heavy therewith, that she dyed under the burthen. Tarpeia for the desire she had of all the gold bracelets which the Sabines wore about their left armes, when they went to besiege Room, sold the Fort or Castle of the City (wherein there was a great Garrison, of which her Father Tarpeius was Captain) to the Sabines; and asking for reward of her treason, Fatius the Sabines General, according to his promise, when she had opened them a gaete in the night and let them in, commanded his whole Army to do as he did, who taking the bracelet which himself wore on his left arm, and his target, did hang them about her neck, and so all the rest, untill she being bowed down to the ground with the weight of them, was pressed to death under the burthen. And much after this manner does God deal with unmerciful misers, and all wicked and un∣grateful men. As see the sad condition of a man, to whom God gives riches in wrath; it is so well worth your knowledge and observation, that David was very inquisitive with the Lord about it, Psal. 73. 3. to 13 and likewise the Prophet Jeremy, chap. 12. Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I speak with thee, yet let me talk with thee of thy judgements; wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root, they grow, yea, they bring sorth fruit; thou art neer in their mouth, and far from their reines, ver. 1, 2, 3. Yea, it is admirable to consider, how the tabernacles of robbers do prosper, how secure they are that provoke God, and how abundantly God giveth into their hands, Job 12. 6. They increase in riches, wax fat and shine, Jerem. 5. 28. They are not in trouble as other men, neither are they plagued like other men; their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart can wish, yea, there are no bands in their death, Psalm 73. and many the like places: But hear all, and ye will never envy their prosperity,