Nullum bellum, neque tam justis de causis suscipi, neque tam moderatè geri, quod non ingens et scelerum & calamitatum agmen secum trahat: tum maximam malorum partem ad innoxias et indignos recidere dixit.-Erasmus.

Mutos nasci et egere omni ratione satius fuisset, quam Providentiæ munera in mutuam perniciem convertere.-Quint:

Wealth.

The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are as dangerous to men of great business, as airiness of deportment and fondness for pleasure are to the youth. The good seed was as effectually hindered from bringing forth fruit by the thorns, as in the highway or stony ground.

If riches be a possession to be desired in this life, what is richer than wisdom ?-—Wisd. viii. 5.

If the rich have the advantage of the poor, while they possess what they have, the poor have the advantage of the rich, when both are called to part with it.

Near half an age, with every good man's praise,
Amongst his flock the shepherd pass'd his days;
The friend, the comfort of the sick and poor,
Want never knock'd unheeded at his door;
Oft, when his duty call'd, disease and pain
Strove to confine him, but they strove in vain.
All mourn his death; his virtues long they try'd,
They knew not how they lov'd him till he died!

It is the remark of a writer, that the richer people grow, the less money or time they have for God or religion.

Though this may be true of many, and perhaps the greater part, yet it is not so with such who are sensible of the importance of peace with God, through obedience to His laws. The great plenty of outward accommodations these may be favoured with does not occasion a neglect of their religious duty, nor make them less earnest to promote the cause of virtue and holiness; upon which their own safety and the safety and happiness of their fellow-creatures depend.

Experience shews, that large possessions do much oftener damp any little life, or zeal for God, than quicken the Christian's hope or concern for a better world.

Mundus transit et concupiscentia ejus. Quid vis? Utrum amare temporalia et transire cum tempore; an Christum amare et in æternum vivere ?

Præstat vir sine pecuniâ quam pecunia sine viro: Animus est qui divites facit.

Erubescere debes de bonis tuis, si domus plena bonis te malum habet Dominum.

Quid prodest Diviti quod habet, si Deum qui omnia dedit non habeat?

It was a saying of Chilon, Lapideis cotibus aurum examinari: auro autem bonorum malorumque hominum mentem, cujusmodi sit comprobari.

[The Miser with the touchstone tries the gold, With which the Devil tried him; or ere he sold Faith, conscience, honour, for the low delight; And prov'd by acts his inbred appetite.-Ed.]

How few are there that grow better by worldly greatness and prosperity-yea how few that do not grow worse! and yet how few are there that refuse, or that desire not, this perilous station, rather than to stand safer on the lower ground! the lamentable fruits of prosperity and the mutability of men that make

great professions and promises in adversity, should make the best of us jealous of our hearts. Prosperity shews what we are, as much as adversity.

A wise man will desire no more than what he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and bear contentedly.

The Dutch have a proverb :-Thefts never enrich, Alms never impoverish, Prayers hinder no work.

Plato interrogatus, Quantas opes habere oportebat; Tantas (inquit) ut nec insidiis exponare, nec rursum necessariis destituare.

Quæ sunt maximæ divitiæ? Non desiderare divitias. Quis plurimum habet? Qui minimum cupit.-Ausonius.

Longæ vestes Corpora, et immodicæ divitiæ Animum impediunt:-Damocrates.

Recta domus a Senecâ dicitur, quæ nimio luxu corrupta non est, neque laquearibus et marmoribus pellucet, neque eleganti tectorio aut lacunari perpolita est; sed laudabilem quandam mediocritatem ostendit.