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

3. Another Prejudice there is against this Doctrine, Men shift it off to others. We conceive of Gluttony, Drunkenness and Covetousness, otherwise than Christ did, and therefore do not judg such Discourses necessary. We conceive Drunkenness and Gluttony to be an outrageous Excess; when we hear of Gluttons and Drunkards, we think of them vomiting, staggering, reeling, not being able to speak, or able to go, faltering in Speech and Language: But the Scripture sets out other manner of Drunkards, these are the Effects, the Punishment rather than the Fault. And so when we hear of Covetousness, then we think of some sordid Wretch, or else of some Oppressor that gets Wealth by Rapine and Extortion, or the apparent use of unlawful means; and so we wipe our Lips, and think we are clean. But now that which is counted Surfeiting and Drunkenness, and Covetousness before God, is the over-charging the Heart; Luke 21.34. Take heed to your selves, lest your Hearts be over-charged, &c. A Man's Heart may be over-charged, though his Stomach is not, when he cannot freely meditate upon heavenly things, though he doth not remit and give up his luxurious Morsels in loathsome Ejections. And that is Covetousness before God, when the Ca•e of earthly things hinders us from Heavenly-mindedness and Heavenly Desires, the Heart is then over-charged, and loseth the Sense of spiritual things.

3. Another Prejudice there is against this Doctrine, Men shift it off to others. We conceive of Gluttony, Drunkenness and Covetousness, otherwise than Christ did, and therefore do not judg such Discourses necessary. We conceive Drunkenness and Gluttony to be an outragious Excess; when we hear of Gluttons and Drunkards, we think of them vomiting, staggering, reeling, not being able to speak, or able to go, faltring in Speech and Language: But the Scripture sets out other manner of Drunkards, these are the Effects, the Punishment rather than the Fault. And so when we hear of Covetousness, then we think of some sordid Wretch, or else of some Oppressor that gets Wealth by Rapine and Extortion, or the apparent use of unlawful means; and so we wipe our Lips, and think we are clean. But now that which is counted Surfeiting and Drunkenness, and Covetousness before God, is the over-charging the Heart; Luke 21.34. Take heed to your selves, lest your Hearts be over-charged, &c. A Man's Heart may be over-charged, though his Stomach is not, when he cannot freely meditate upon heavenly things, though he doth not remit and give up his luxurious Morsels in loathsome Ejections. And that is Covetousness before God, when the Cae of earthly things hinders us from Heavenly-mindedness and Heavenly Desires, the Heart is then over-charged, and loseth the Sense of spiritual things.