T e Evil and Poly of CCvetoufnefs. 3°S bath been already faid, it can be proved SE R M. that abundance of worldly poffefiions will XI, not anfwer that end, there is no pretence of ``"""j reafon, by which the covetous can juflify themfelves in the immoderate profecution of them. It is neceffary to obferve here, what every man mull be convinced of upon the leaft re- flellion, that riches are not the immediate objef of any original defire in the human nature. If we examine our whole conftitu- tion, with all the primary affefions which belong to it, we (hall find that this hath no place among them. There are appetites which take their rife from the body, and cen- ter wholly in it, fuch as hunger and thirft ; there are beauties difcerned in various fenfi- ble forms, whether natural or contrived by art, which move our inclinations and give us pleafure ; there are alto affections in the mind of a higher fort to beings of our own fpecies, and other fenfitive and intelligent na- tures, and to moral qualities; none at all which terminate upon wealth, that is, upon poffetiing a large (hare of the produlionrs of the earth, and the conveniencies of life, or the ready means of purchafing them as a peculiar property, and by way of diftinc- tion from others. One fuppofition will V o L. IV. X make
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=