ENOUGH

The Chariot of Covetous as Barnard doth write, On four wheels of vices is carried away: And these be the four vices that he doth resite, Contempt of God, forgetfulness of death eke day. Faint courage, and ungentleness he doth say. These be the wheels that to adversities cart doth belong: These have persuasions to beguile men many and strong. The same Chariot hath two horses which doth it draw, The one nam Raueny and the other nigardship: Their Carter is Desire to have, who always doth claw, By fraud or guile one and other to nip, This Carter hath two cords to his Whip. The one is Appititite and felicity for to get: The other is called Dread and fear to forlet. Godliness is great riches if a man can be content, When God hath sent him plenty and Enough: Let us praise him for our food and raiment, And live godlily all our lives through, For we must tread the paths of death so sharp and rough. And then shall we be sure to carry as little away: As we brought with us thus Saint Paul doth say. Yea, hardly my Friend say what you would. Your mind unto me you may boldly declare. If you had required a greater thing of me, I would have done it for you I tell you certain: Sir, one of yonder men which you do see, Would speak with you alone very fain. Be not rash in taking of a Friend Aristotle doth say: Nor when thou haste taken him, cast him not away. Admit not thy Friend either high or low: Except his behaviour to others thou dost know. For look how before he hath served his other Friend: Even so will he serve Thee also in the end. Enough is as good as a feast, well you wot: More then enough: a man needs not. Whither it be lands, money, Friends or store: if he have enough: what needeth he any more? It is and old proverb and of and ancient time: Which says, it is not all Gold, that Like Gold doth shine. No more are all Friends that friendship pretend: As it approved with many in the end. These words proceed from a covetous mind: And from a worldly lust which doth you blind. was not y e poor widow for her offering praised more Then all they y to offered of their superfluity & store. The sacrifice of God as the prophet David doth say Is a broken heart and a good mind always. The greatest boasters are not the best givers: Nor the earnest preachers are the best livers. As sucre increases riches and honour, So covetous enlargeth daily more and more. I know so ̄ e in this realm which once were continued ̄ tent With poorly enough which God to them had sent. Wishing of a good conscience as they said verily: That God would once again restore the verity. If it please thee good Lord (said they) thy word to us again send And then truly our Covetous lives we will amend. But since it hath pleased God, them to wealth to restore: They are ten times more Covetous then they were before. Yea hedling without all consideration: They for Covetous make some laws in that nation. Such buying and selling of Leaces and benefices: Such doubling of wares to extreme princes. So shamefully Gods ministers they poule & shave: That not half enough to live upon they have. But it is and old saying and a true certainly: it will not out of the flesh y to is bred in y e bone verily. The worldly man will needs be a worldly man still: Well choose you I will let you alo ̄ e do what you will. I cannot think but those that of me hold scorn: Will be glad of me or ever the year be half worn. Exit Enough is as good as a feast, her let us stay, We have troubled our audience, that let us remember: Let us conclude therefore, but first let us pray, That it will please God in mercy our good mistress to tender, Our faith to establish wherein we be slender. That at the last day when the trump shall blow: For to be heavenly men the Lord may us all know Enough is as good as a feast, where contentation doth dwell, For where he remains is the spirit of God with rest: The unquiet mind of the covetous doth grutch and swell, And to live with enough he doth abhor and detest. The greedy gasping of Covetous doth him so molest. That to be rich he all his whole mind doth set: Nothing regarding how the same he doth get.