A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

2dly. The next Particular the Apostle mentions, is, the Lusts of the Eye, or Covetousness. This is an Evil very natural to us; and we cannot be watchful enough against the Encroachments of the World: We need it in part, and we love it more than we need it. Worldliness is a Branch of Original Sin, it is a Disease we are born with. The Tenth Commandment that forbids Original Sin, saith, Thou shalt not covet. The Best find Temptations this way. We are daily conversant about the things of the World, and we receive a Taint from those things with which usually we converse; we find by Experience that long Converse is a bewitching thing. Again, the World is a thing of present Enjoyment; we have the World in Hand, and Heaven in Hope. The Judgment of Carnal Men is quite different from the Judgment of the Word. The Word of God counts the World to be but a Fancy, and an Apparition, and Heaven to be the only Substance: Prov. 23.5. Wilt thou set thine Eyes upon that which is not? It is not in comparison of better things. And the Fashion of this World passeth away, 2 Cor. 7.31. But, Prov. 8.21. That I may cause those that love me, to inherit Substance. Heaven is the durable Substance; this is the Judgment of the Word, but wicked Men think quite otherwise. We have sensible Experience of the Profits of the World, and therefore we judg thus perversely, and call it durable Riches, and Heaven but a mere Fancy to make Fools fond withal. Besides, Worldliness is a serious thing, it doth not break out into any foul Act, therefore it is applauded by Men. Psal. 10.3. The Wicked boasteth of his Heart's Desire; and blesseth the Covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. We think well of it, at least we stroke it with a gentle Censure. A Drunkard is more liable to Reproach and Shame than a Worldling. Worldliness is consistent with the gravity and strictness of Profession; and therefore above all Corruptions it is usually found amongst them that profess Religion: but dissoluteness of Luxury will not stand with that external Gravity and Strictness which the Profession of Religion requires. Licentious Persons procure shame to themselves, and are publicly odious; but now this being a serious Sin, and possibly it may win the Soul from other Vices, therefore we indulge it the more. Again, it is a cloaked Sin; the Apostle speaks of the Cloak of Covetousness,