Let us use worldly things

(George Downame, 1560-1634)

Let us use worldly things - as wise pilgrims do their staves and other necessities for their journey. So long as they help us forward in our way - let us make use of them, and accordingly esteem them. But if they become troublesome hindrances and cumbersome burdens - let us leave them behind us, or cast them away!

The temptations of prosperity, like unseen bullets - wound and kill us before they are discerned.

Riches are . . .
  long in getting - with much pains,
  hard in keeping - with much care,
  quick in losing - with more sorrow.
(Thomas Fuller, 1608-1661)