[260] The Evil and Unreafonablenefs Vol In Difcourfing of the Secondof thefe, viz. the Matter of the Caution, I pro_ pofed, t. To confider wherein the Nature of this Vice of Covetoufnefs does confift. 2. To thew the Evil and Unreafonablenefs of it. The Firfi of thefe I have difpatched, and now go on to the Second, viz. To Phew the great Evil and Unreafonablenefs of the Vice ofCovetoufnefs. Now Covetoufnefs will appear to be very Evil, and Unreafonable, upon thefe following Accounts. I: Becaufe it takes Menoff from Religion, and the Careof their Souls. II. Becaufe it tempts Men to do many Things which are inconfiftent with Reli. gion, and direly contrary to it. III. Becaufe it is an endlefs and infatiable Delire. IV. Becaufe the Happinefs of Humane Life Both not confift in Riches. V. Becaufe Riches do very often contribute very much to the Mifery and Infe- licity of Men. Firff, Covetoufnef takes Men off from Religion, and the Care of their Souls. The Covetous Man is wholly intent upon this World ; and his inordinate Delire after thefe Things, makes him to neglet God, and the Eternal Concernments of his Soul. He employs all his Time, and Care, and Thoughts about thefe Tem- poral Things, and his vehement Love. and eager purfuit of thefe Things fteals a- way his Heart from God, robs him of his Time, and of all Opportunities for his Soul, and diverts him from all ferious Thoughts of another World, and the Life to come. And the Reafon of this is, that which our Saviour gives, Math. 6. 24. No Man canferve two Mafiers ; for either be will hate the one, and love the other;; ór elfe he will hold to the one, and defpife the other. Te cannot ferve God, and Mammon. No Man can ferve two Mailers fo different as God and the World are; becaufe they will give crofs Commands, and enjoys contrary Things. God he calls upon us to mind the Duties ofhis Worship and Service, to havea ferious re- gard to Religion, and a diligent Care of our Souls : But the Cares of the World, and the Importunity of Bufinefs, and an eager Appetite of being Rich, call us off .: from thefe Divine and Spiritual Employments, or difturb us in them. God calls upon us to be Charitable to thofe that are in want, to be willing to diftribute, and ready to communicate to the Neceffìties of our Brethren : But our Covetoufnefs . pulls us back, and hales us another way, and checks all Merciful and Charitable Inclinations in us. God calls us to Self-Denial, and fuffering for the Sake of him, and his Truth, and commands us, to prefer the keeping of Faith and a good Con- fcience, to all Worldly Confiderations whatfoever : But theWorld infpires us with other Thoughts, and whifpers to us to fave our felves, not to be Righteous over much, and rather to trait Godwith our Souls, thanMenwith ourBodies and Eftates If we fet our Hearts and Affe&ions ftrongly upon any thing, they will partake ofthe Objet which they are converfant about ; for where our Treafure is (as our Lordbath told us) there will our Hearts be elfo. If a great Eftate be our chief End and Deign, ifRiches be our Treafure, and our Happinefs, our Hearts will be found among the Stuff. We cannot bellow our Affeftions freely upon Two Ob. jells. We cannot intenfly love God, and the World; for no Man can have Two Ultimate Ends, Two Principal Deigns. Our Riches may increafe ; but ifwefet our hearts upon them, and give them the chief place in our Affeftions, we make them our Lord and Matter. Whateverwe make our Ultimate End, we give it a Sovereignty and Empire over us; weput our felves under its Dominion, andmake our felves fubjeft to all its Commands. So that if it bidas go, we mullgo ; come, we mull come ; do this, we mull do it ; becaufe we are under Authority : The World is our Mafter, and we are its Slaves. Now he that is under the Rule and Dominion ofthis Mafter, muff withdraw his Obedience from God, and in many Cafes decline Obedience to his Laws. This worldlyCovetous Difpofition was that which made thofe in the Parable to make fo many Exudes, when they were invited to the Supper, Luke 54, 58. One hadbought a.Farm, andbe could notcome : Another hadboughtfomany TokeofOxen, and therefore he defired to be excufed. Riches do fo fill the CovetousMan's: Heart, and
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=