Serm. XXXVI. The Nature ofGovetoufnefr. 2: On the other hand, if we fee any oppofe the clear Truth, or to depart from it, and to embrafe grofs Errors and Delufions, we may alnroft certainly conclude, that there is fame Worldly Intereft or Luft at the bottom of it. So our Saviour has likewife told us, that the reafon why Men love darknefs rather than Light, is, becaufe their Deeds are evil ; and every one that doth Evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, left bis Deeds fhould be reproved. I will conclude this whole Difcourfe with St. Peter's. Exhortation, the ad of Pet. 3. 17, 18., re therefore, Beloved, feeing ye know thefe Things before, beware, left ye alfo being led away with the Error of the Wicked, fallfrom your own ¡tedfaftnefs. Butgrow in. Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour 'efus Chrift. To him be Glory, both now and for ever. Amen. SERMON XXXVI9 The Nature of Covetoufnefs. LUKE X11. 15. And he fail unto them, Take heed and beware of Covetoufnefs ; for a Man's Life con/i/leth not in the abundance of the things which he pofeffeth. Mong all the irregular Appetites of Men, there is none that is more corn- mon aid unreafonable, and of a more Univerfal bad Influence upon the Hearts and Lives of Men, than this ofCovetoufnefs ; and therefore hi fpeaking of this Vice, I (hall ftrike at the Root of a great many others ; even of 4poftacy from God's Truth and Religion, of whichCovetoufnefs, and the Love of this prefent World, isone ofthe molt common Caufes. So that if I can contribute any thing to the Cure of this great Diftemper of Mens Minds, I (hall in fo doing remove that, which is the Caufe and Occafion of a great part of the E- vils and Mifchiefs which are in the World. And to this end I have pitched upon thefe Words of our Blefled Saviour to his Hearers ; And he faid unto them, Take heedand beware ofCovetoufnefs ; for a Man's Life confifleth not in'the abundance of the Things which he peeefeth. In which Words are thefe Three Things obfervable. Firft, The Manner of the Caution which our Saviour here gives, Take heed and beware ; he doubles it, to thew the great Need and Concernment of 'it. Secondly, The Matter of the Caution, or the Vice which our Saviour here warns his Hearers againft, and that is Caüetoufnefs; Take heed and beware of Covetoufnefs. Thirdly, The Reafon of this Caution, Becaufe a Man's Life con(ïfteth not in the abundance of the Things which he poj/efeth. Humane Life is fuftain'd by a little, and therefore abundance is not neceffary, either to the Support or Comfort of it. 'Tis not a great Eftate and vaft Poffeffions that make a Man happy in this World ; but a Mind that is equal to his Condition, whatever it be. Firft, The Manner of the Caution which our Saviour here gives, Take heed and beware. . This is a peculiar kind ofCaution, and no where elfe, or upon any other Occafion, that I know of, ufed in Scripture ; inwhich, for the greater Em- p1Lafis and Weight, the Words of Caution' are doubled, as if the Matter were of fo much Concernment, that no Caution about it could be too much ; to lignifie to us both the Great Danger of this Sin of Covetoufnefs, and the Great Care Men ought to ufe to preferve themfelves from it. L The
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