The Evil and Folly of Covetoufnefs. 295 obtained by a community of goods, and S E R M therefore requiring a diftintion of property, XI the divine wifdom bath eftablifhed it as perpetual rule for the common fafety and for preferving publick order and peace, that no man fhould invade the juft pofefhon of another by open violence, or endeavour to deprive him of it by fecret fraud ; which defagn allo is purfued, and ought to be pur- fued, by human political conftitutions. But the authority of God goeth farther than that of men; he not only forbiddeth outward ads of violence and deceit, which they forbid likewife, he layeth alfo a reflraint on the appetites of the mind, and under the penalty of grievous inward retnorfe, and of his fu- ture difpleafure, forbideth entering into any fecret devices and purpofes of heart which may have a tendency to injure our neigh- bour. The fecond lignification of the word covetoufnefs is, an immoderate defire of worldly pofeflions in whatever way they are to be acquired, even fuppofing it fhould be without injnftice of any kind. This is certainly the fource of the other evil : when riches become the idol of the heart, efteem- ed and defired far above what the real va- lue and the proper ufe of them will juftify, the next ftep is to with for a deliverance from IT 4 the
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