A Body of Practical Divinity

(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, Prov. 30.15. Or like Behemoth, Job 40.23. He trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his Mouth. 2. [Greek or Hebrew], which signifies an inordinate Love of the World. The World is the Idol; it is so loved, that a Man will not part with it to any good Use. This is to come under the ⟨p. 383⟩Indictment of Covetousness. He may be said to be covetous, not only who gets the World unrighteously, but who loves the World inordinately. But for a more full Answer to the Question, What is it to covet? I shall show you in Six Particulars, when a Man may be said to be given to Covetousness.