A Body of Practical Divinity

1. When his Thoughts are wholly taken up about the World. As a good Man's Thoughts are still in Heaven: He is thinking of Christ's Love, and Eternal Recompenses. Psal. 139.18. When I awake I am still with thee: That is,¹ by Divine Contemplation. So a covetous Man is still with the World: His Mind is wholly taken up about it; he can think of nothing but his Shop or Farm. The Fancy is a Mint-House, and most of the Thoughts a covetous Man mints are Worldly. He is always plotting and projecting about the [Greek or Hebrew], the things of this Life. Like a Virgin that hath all her Thoughts running upon her Suitor.

1. When his Thoughts are wholly taken up about the World. As a good Man's Thoughts are still in Heaven: He is thinking of Christ's Love, and Eternal Recompences. Psal. 139.18. When I awake I am still with thee: That is,¹ by Divine Contemplation. So a covetous Man is still with the World: His Mind is wholly taken up about it; he can think of nothing but his Shop or Farm. The Fancy is a Mint-House, and most of the Thougts a covetous Man mints are Worldly. He is always plotting and projecting about the 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the things of this Life. Like a Virgin that hath all her Thoughts running upon her Suitor.

1. 1Ainsworth.

2. A Man may be said to be given to Covetousness, when he takes more pains for the getting of Earth, than for the getting of Heaven. He will turn every Stone, break his Sleep, take many a weary Step for the World, but will take no pains for Christ or Heaven. The Gauls, who were an ancient People of France, after they had tasted the sweet Wine of the Italian Grape, they enquired after the Country, and never rested till they had arrived at it. So a covetous Man, having had a Relish of the World, pursues after it, and never leaves till he hath got it; but he neglects the things of Eternity. He could be content if Salvation would drop into his Mouth, as a ripe Fig drops into the Mouth of the Eater,