The Evil and Folly of Covetoufnefs. 3" 15 joyeth life in the belt manner, maketh the befR S E R M. provifion for his own comfort in this world, XI. and as our Saviour elfewhere teacheth, maketh 'Y' to himfelf friends of the unrighteous mammon, which when he faileth, (hall receive him into ever - lafling habitations. But as this is not the cafe of the covetous man, it is perfectly agreeable to the text, which declareth that life, that is, enjoyment, doth not confifl: in abundant poffef- fions ; not that it doth not confift in part- ing with thofe poffeflïons for the ufes of charity. To fet this matter in a juft light, let it be obferved, that the moderate delire and purfuit of riches is not at all inconfiftent with virtue; fo far from it, indufiry is a vir- tue itfelf, as being really beneficial to fociety, as well as to the perfon who ufeth it, furnifh- ing him with the conveniencies of life, and efpecially with the means of being ufeful to his fellow creatures. But when a man hash ufed honeft induftry, fo far he bath difcharg- ed his duty, and laid a foundation for all the true enjoyment which can arife from riches ; for that doth not depend on fuccefs, or the afual obtaining of large poffeffions, but principally on the inward difpofitions of the mind. The man who is heartily inclined to do good, and doth it according to his ability, bath really the higheft happinefs from bene- ficence
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