by contrary means, or by cross accidents, would be in want of them. And he who should supply their wants, would have the property in a proportionable labour of their hands, which he would scarce fail to make use of instead of his own, perhaps together with them, to provide future necessaries in greater plenty. Riches, then, were first bestowed upon the world, as they are still continued in it, by the blessing of God upon the industry of men, in the use of their understanding and strength. Riches themselves have always this source; though the possession of them is conveyed to particular persons by different channels. Yet still, "the hand of the diligent maketh rich," Prov. x. 4, and, other circumstances being equal, in proportion to its diligence.
But to return to the first rich man; whom we left in possession of dependents, and plenty of necessaries for himself and them. A family would not be long in this state, before conveniences, somewhat ornamental, and for entertainment, would be wanted, looked for, and found out. And, by degrees, these secondary wants, and inventions for the supply of them, the fruits of leisure and ease, came to employ much of men's time and leisure. Hence a new species of riches came into the world, consisting of things which it might have done well enough without, yet thought desirable, as affording pleasure to the imagination, or the senses. And these went on increasing, till, at length, the superfluities of life took in a vast larger compass of things than the necessaries of it. Thus luxury made its inroad, and all the numerous train of evils its attendance; of which poverty, as bad an one as we may account it, is far from being the worst. Indeed, the hands of the generality must be employed, and a very few of them would now be sufficient to provide the world with necessaries; and therefore the rest of them must be employed about what may be called superfluities; which could not be, if these superfluities were not made use of. Yet the desire of such
