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 ful means of gaining and improving thy eſtate, remembering that by the ſweat of thy brow, much induſtry and lawful care, thou muſt get thy bread, and expect a bleſſing from God upon thy endeavours.

I ſhall ſhew you ſeveral reaſons why you ſhould not care eagerly and inordinately for things. Firſt, Inform thyſelf thoroughly, that all earthly things are of little worth, fading and withering away like graſs; it is extreme folly for us to ſet our hearts and minds upon that which are little worth, as riches are, that God gives rather to his enemies than to his friends.

Secondly, Immoderate care for earthly things is exceeding hurtful, it breatheth many hurtful luſts, which draw men into perdition, it hindereth growth of heavenly and ſpiritual things; it will cauſe a man to err from the faith 2 Tim. vi 10. He whoſe cares are too much about the earth, his care will be too little for heaven. Next conſider, why we muſt not care at all about the ſucceſs of our lawful endeavours any more than to commend them to God.