"I wonder how it cometh to pass, that there hath never been any law made against him: against him do I say? I mean for him. As there are public provisions made for all other madmen, it is very reasonable that the king should appoint some persons to manage his estate, during his life, for his heirs commonly need not that care, and out of it to make it their business to see that he should not want alimony befitting their condition; which he could never get out of his own cruel fingers. We relieve idle vagrants and counterfeit beggars, but have no care at all of these really poor men, who are, methinks, to be respectfully treated, in regard of their quality. I might be endless against them, but I am almost choked with the superabundance of the matter. Too much plenty impoverisheth me, as it doth them." Thus much against avarice, that moth of the soul, and canker of the mind. CHAPTER XIV. 1. Luxury, what it is, and the mischief of it to mankind. An enemy to the cross of Christ.--2. Of luxury in diet, how unlike Christ, and contrary to Scripture.--3. The mischief it does to the bodies, as well as the minds of people.--4. Of luxury in the excess of apparel, and of recreations; that sin brought the first coat: people not to be proud of the badge of their misery.--5. The recreations of the times, enemies to virtue: they rise from degeneracy.--6. The end of clothes allowable; the abuse reprehended.--7. The chief recreation of good men of old was to serve God, and do good to mankind, and follow honest vocations, not vain sports and pastimes.--8. The Heathen knew and did better things. The sobriety of infidels above Christians.--9. Luxury condemned in the case of the rich man.--10. The doctrine of the Scripture positively against a voluptuous life.