A new years Gift, entitled, a Crystal glass ' for all Estates to look in, wherein they may plainly see the just reward, for Vnsaciate and Abominable Covetousness. M.D.LXIX. According to my custom, daily I did muse, Upon God's holy word, which for ever shall endure, I thought it the best exercise that any man could use, Daily to be frequented in the Scripture, The xii of Luke I beheld a place both plain and pure, giving general warning in saying these words to us, Beware of Covetousness, saith Christ jesus. It first confounded Adam being then in Paradise, Coveting to be as God, and so began to slide, He presumed to have knowledge, and also to be wise, Not contented with his state, nor therein did abide, His coveting (Alas) set him clean beside, Regarding Satan's words which coveted his transgression Covetously he presumed, to be his own confusion, The root of all evil it is, as witnesseth the Scripture, An odious and secret mischief, as any man can sow, For what Blossom or bud, think ye that can prosper, Or what Flower or Fruit, did ever man see grow, But a root it must have first, this full well we know, Beware therefore of it, for this I do confess, The original of all sin, must needs be covetousness, Of all sin covetousness, first polluted Adam, Linked with infidelity, Pride, and disobedience, Which pestiferous sin, dwelleth almost in every man, For lack of grace, constancy, and good intelligence, So we like Adam's children, forgetting our obedience, Seeking our destruction, without cause or reward, Like Achab, and jezabel, coveting Nabothes vineyard. Thus covetousness slew Naboth against all right, The nature of it is such, it never was found good, Woe be to the covetousness thou woeful wight, That without all mercy, so canst thirst for blood, Thou broughtest the general Deluge at noah's Flood, And Gehezie by covetousness, if ye hearken to this song, Became a foul Lipper, even all his life long. King David by covetousness deceived was, And by concupiscence the story doth testify, In coveting the only wife of Urias, Greatly offended Gods divine majesty, But reproved by Nathan, wept and cried bitterly, search now the scripture, and do what you can, For nothing is found worse, than a covetous man. He that delighteth in covetousness, hath his soul to sell, Thus saith Sirach, to such as they are, Christ by justice must condemn such to hell, As maketh ambergris of any such ware, The covetous man doth always both scrape and spare, Still to satisfy, but his greedy desire, Which at last shall bring him to unquenchable fire. In gathering therefore of Riches, be not to bold, For with assurance they are but as dung, For when many sins are waren old, Then Covetousness will seem most young, This my Pen uttereth in steed of my tongue, The children of the covetous being stout and brave, Daily wisheth in their hearts, to see there father's grave. Lock not in thy breast this sinful covetousness, Foster it not up, for any flattering fees: Beware and be not nurse to such wickedness, Lest thou be found as a Drone among Bees, Not esteemed in common wealth, but as rotten trees, Worthy to be brent where ever that thou dwell, According to God's providence, fire brands in Hell, Herod the king coveted to ●lea the only Lord, Resisting thereby his only salvation, As too many there be that hateth God's word, And shall therefore receive damnation, The second of matthew maketh declaration, How Herode coveted a kingdom not permanent, And therefore slew many a young Innocent. Some coveteth to buy both house and land, But hospitality they will none keep, For Covetousness taketh cruel things in hand, Devouring the poor as the Wolf doth the sheep, In security of sin, they are rocked fast a sleep, Night and day caring for things that be vain, But wotteth not who shallbe lord of all his travel & pain Saint Barnard's Chariot they will ride in, Wherein let them continue and dwell: Which named is Security of vice and sin, Leading them post to the Devil of Hell, For such myzers have their souls to sell, Four wheels it hath to carry on the same, Of all which four I will show you the name. The first wheel is called Greedy desire, Ingratitude, and contempt of God for other twain, And forgetfulness of Death, thereto they require, Which four wheels do continue and remain, To the Chariot of Avarice which is led certain, By three strong horses which runneth forth the race, Named, past shame, past repentance, and past grace. To this Chariot, a careless Carter they must have, Whose name is called Never content, His whip in his hand, like a cruel slave: With two strings called wilful pain, & restless torment These are ordained for everlasting punishment, To belong to this Chariot, for their negligence, To carry away covetous persons from good men's presence This Chariot of Avarice with his horses so fell, Daily is set a work to to in many a place: But whether goeth this Chariot I pray you now tell, Some think to Satan to be resident in place, Carried away by violence from all mercy and grace, To follow the generation of ungodly store, Never to have mercy nor see light any more, Seing covetousness doth rob us of mercy and grace, B●ing the root of all sin and wickedness, Let us remember whilst we have space, Calling to god to be our righteousness, To aid and secure us, in all distress, And now to covet his everlasting presence, With him to reign for ever when we depart hence, What is the cause of both sacralige and Simony, I will now declare and manifestly express, And show the iniciation of detestable usury, Now being compelled the truth to confess, The origenall of both is very covetousness, Likewise of Bankeroutes and Informers as I here tell, Covetousness lately invented by Satan's counsel, (ꝙ) W. Fering. FINIS. ¶ Imprinted at London in Fleetstreet, by William How, for Richard johnes: and are to be sold at his shop under the Lottery house.