A Body of Practical Divinity

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, Nahum. 3.12. But he is loath to put himself to too much Sweat or Trouble to obtain Christ or Salvation. He hunts for the World, he wisheth only for Heaven.

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 Countrey, 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, Nahum. 3.12. But he is loath to put himself to too much Sweat or Trouble to obtain Christ or Salvation. He hunts for the World, he wisheth only for Heaven.

3. A Man may be said to be given to Covetousness, when all his Discourse is about the World. John 3.31. He that is of the Earth, speaketh of the Earth: As it is a sign of Godliness to be still speaking of Heaven, to have the Tongue tuned to the Language of Canaan.