Contrary to the forenamed moderation of our desire is Covetousness,1 which like to hell can never be satisfied. For by abundance this desire is increased; so as the more it is filled, the less it is satisfied. Hereof our Lord adviseth to ktake heed and beware. For as it is an unsatiable sin, so also a devouring sin; as Pharaohs lean Kine devoured the fat ones, so Covetousness devoureth all Gods blessings and graces,l itm choketh the Word, and maketh hearers thereof unfruitful. It so entangleth men with the things of this world, as it maketh itn easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. No sin more bewitcheth a man, drawing his heart from God the only true ground of confidence,o and making him trust in vanity which is plainp idolatry. Yea it is truly styled.q The root of all evil. For it so blindeth mans mind, and hardeneth his heart, as he maketh conscience of no sin: no not of denying God, and renouncing true Religion: nor of perjury, and blasphemy: nor of profaning and breaking the Sabbath: nor of rebellion against Superiors, and neglect of inferiors: nor of murder or any other unmercifulness, nor of oppression, deceit, falsehood, or any other evil.
COntrarie to the forenamed moderation of our desire is Couetousnesse,1 which like to hell can neuer bee satisfied. For by aboundance this desire is encreased; so as the more it is filled, the lesse it is satisfied. Hereof our Lord aduiseth to ktake heed and beware. For as it is an vnsatiable sinne, so also a deuouring sinne; as Pharaohs leane Kine deuoured the fat ones, so Couetousnesse deuoureth all Gods blessings and graces,l itm choaketh the Word, and maketh hearers thereof vnfruitfull. It so intangleth men with the things of this world, as it maketh itn easier for a Camell to goe thorow the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of God. No sinne more bewitcheth a man, drawing his heart from God the only true ground of confidence,o and making him trust in vanitie which is plainep idolatry. Yea it is truely stiled.q The roote of all euill. For it so blindeth mans minde, and hardeneth his heart, as he maketh conscience of no sinne: no not of denying God, and renouncing true Religion: nor of periurie, and blasphemie: nor of prophaning and breakiug the Sabbath: nor of rebellion against Superiours, and neglect of inferiours: nor of murther or any other vnmercifulnesse, nor of oppression, deceit, falshood, or any other euill.
- 1Avarus homo similis est inferno. Sicut infermus nunquam dicit, satis est, ita avarus nunquam satiatur, &c. Bern. de modo bene viven. Serm. 44.Auarus homo similis est inferno. Sicut infermus nunquam dicit, satis est, ita auarus nunquam satiatur, &c. Bern. de modo bene viuen. Serm. 44.
- kLuke 12. 15.
- lGen. 41. 4.
- mMath. 13. 22. Ezek. 33. 31.
- nLuke 14. 18.
- oMar. 10. 25.
- pCol. 3. 5. Ephe• 5. 5.
- q1. Tim. 6. 10.
