A65285:2557
A Body of Practical Divinity
A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
This Commandment forbids, (1.) Covetousness in General, Thou shalt not covet. (2.) In Particular, Thy Neighbours House, thy Neighbours Wife, &c.
(1.) It forbids Covetousness in General, Thou shalt not covet. 'Tis lawful to use the World, yea, and to desire so much of it, as may, 1. Keep us from the Temptation of Poverty. Prov. 30.8. Give me not Poverty, lest I steal, and take the Name of my God in vain▪ 2. As may enable us to Honour God with Works of Mercy. Prov. 3.9. Honour the Lord with thy Substance. But all the Danger is, when the World gets into the Heart. The Water is useful for the Sailing of the Ship; all the Danger is, when the Water gets into the Ship: So the Fear is, when the World gets into the Heart. Thou shalt not covet.
Quest. What is it to covet?
Resp. There are two Words in the Greek which set forth the Nature of Covetousness. 1. [Greek or Hebrew], which signifies an insatiable desire of getting the World. Covetousness is a dry Dropsy. Austin defines Covetousness, plus velle quam sat est; To desire more than enough: To aim at a great Estate: To be like the Daughters of the Horseleech, crying, Give, give,