316 The Evil and Folly of Covetoufizef . SERM. ficence which riches could yield him ; for XI. charity is valued, approved by the mind it- `` felf, and accepted of God, according to the f ncerity of the affection, not according to the quantity of worldly goods beflowed ; if there be a willing mind, it is accepted accord- ing to what a man hath. It is however ge- nerally a more contra led view men have in amaffing earthly treafures, than to ferve man- kind, or employ them for the benefit of the good and virtuous who may have need ; it is to make a plentiful provifion for their own families. And this within due bounds is very jufl, nay, laudable, for it is a man's un- dobted duty to be diligent in providing for his own, efpecially thole of his houfhold ; but then he ought to confider, that the life of his poflerity, no snore than his own, doth not confifl in the abundance of the poffeßions which he tranfmitteth to them, nay, he is uncertain whether they may not be the oc- cafion of great unhappinefs to them, as in faa, great eflates have been to many fami- lies when abufed to luxury, pride, and other vices; and this confideration ought to check, I do not fay moderate induflry, but the ex- orbitant paflion which is properly called co- vetoufnefs. Having
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