A Body of Practical Divinity

1. Then, Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House. How depraved is Man since the Fall! Man knows not how to keep within Bounds, but is coveting more than his own. Ahab one would think had enough; he was King, and one would suppose his Crown-Revenues should have contented him; but still he was coveting more; Naboth's Vineyard was in his Eye, and stood near the Smoke of his Chimney, and he could not be quiet till he had it in Possession. Were there not so much Coveting, there would not be so much Bribing. One Man pulls away another's House from him. It is only the Prisoner lives in such a Tenement as he may be sure none will go about to take from him.

1. Then, Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House. How depraved is Man since the Fall! Man knows not how to keep within Bounds, but is coveting more than his own. Ahab one would think had enough; he was King, and one would suppose his Crown-Revenues should have contented him; but still he was coveting more; Naboth's Vineyard was in his Eye, and stood near the Smoak of his Chimney, and he could not be quiet till he had it in Possession. Were there not so much Coveting, there would not be so much Bribing. One Man pulls away anothers House from him. It is only the Prisoner lives in such a Tenement as he may be sure none will go about to take from him.

2. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife. This Commandment is a Bridle to check the Inordinacy of Brutish Lusts. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife. It was the Devil that sowed another Man's Ground, Matth. 13.25. But how is the Hedge of this Commandment trodden down in our Times! There be many who do more than covet their Neighbours Wives, they take them. Deut. 27.20. Cursed be he that lies with his Fathers Wife, and all the People shall say Amen. If it were to be proclaimed, Cursed be he that lies with his Neighbours Wife, and all that were guilty should say Amen, how many would curse themselves!