NNW 111 The Evil and Folly of Covetor f z fs. SE R M, tremely contemptible, and we are ready to XL blefs ourfelves as having more large and ge- k`one"a nerous hearts, and to imagine, it is impoflible we fhould ever be in fuch a wretched (late of mind, faying in our hearts as Hazael Paid to the prophet when he foretold his future cru- elties, are we dogs that we fhould be guilty of fuch vile and defpicable things. But take heed, and beware of covetoufnefs; though fuch heights may be at prefent your averfion and appear abominable, you may be guilty of that fin in lower degrees; which, if indulged, may infenfibly lead you on to greater exceffes, and the greateft fecurity againft them will be, to check the inordinate affection, in what- ever inflances it difcovereth it Pelf. To have our minds fortified againft this molt enfnaring evil, nothing is more neceffary than to flrip it of the difguifes it weareth, which is pretty difficult to do; for here the bounds of virtue and vice are fo near that the tranfition is eafy from one to the other, and their colours have fuch refemblance that it requires great attention not to mifiake them< Honeft induftry for the comfortable fupport of ourfelves and our families is ourduty ; an ex- cefi'ive labour for wealth with anxiety, which doth not allow room for better affections to evert themfelves, nor leifure for the much more
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