(I say) as Christ himself did, when he
lived here on earth, imitate him as much as in thee lies. How many great
Caesars, mighty monarchs, tetrarchs, dynasties, princes lived in his days,
in what plenty, what delicacy, how bravely attended, what a deal of gold
and silver, what treasure, how many sumptuous palaces had they, what
provinces and cities, ample territories, fields, rivers, fountains, parks,
forests, lawns, woods, cells, &c.? Yet Christ had none of all this, he
would have none of this, he voluntarily rejected all this, he could not be
ignorant, he could not err in his choice, he contemned all this, he chose
that which was safer, better, and more certain, and less to be repented, a
mean estate, even poverty itself; and why dost thou then doubt to follow
him, to imitate him, and his apostles, to imitate all good men: so do thou
tread in his divine steps, and thou shalt not err eternally, as too many
worldlings do, that run on in their own dissolute courses, to their
confusion and ruin, thou shalt not do amiss. Whatsoever thy fortune is, be
contented with it, trust in him, rely on him, refer thyself wholly to him.
For know this, in conclusion, _Non est volentis nec currentis, sed
miserentis Dei_, 'tis not as men, but as God will. "The Lord maketh poor
and maketh rich, bringeth low, and exalteth" (1 Sam. ii. ver. 7. 8), "he
lifteth the poor from the dust, and raiseth the beggar from the dunghill,
to set them amongst princes, and make them inherit the seat of glory;" 'tis
all as he pleaseth, how, and when, and whom; he that appoints the end
(though to us unknown) appoints the means likewise subordinate to the end.

Yea, but their present estate crucifies and torments most mortal men, they
have no such forecast, to see what may be, what shall likely be, but what
is, though not wherefore, or from whom, _hoc anget_, their present
misfortunes grind their souls, and an envious eye which they cast upon
other men's prosperities, _Vicinumque pecus grandius uber habet_, how rich,
how fortunate, how happy is he? But in the meantime he doth not consider
the other miseries, his infirmities of body and mind, that accompany his
estate, but still reflects upon his own false conceived woes and wants,
whereas if the matter were duly examined, [3741]he is in no distress at
all, he hath no cause to complain.

[3742] ------"tolle querelas,
Pauper enim non est cui rerum suppetit usus,"

"Then cease complaining, friend,