A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 48. Of the words whereby Covetousnesse is expressed.

Verse 5.

Let your conversation be without covetousnesse, &c.

BRanches of the eighth Commandment, even such as concern our estate, are laid down in this verse.

The first branch is against Covetousnesse.

a 1.1 The word translated conversation, implieth the course of a mans life, or his practice and dealing with other men: and intendeth that a man should so carry himself as in all his dealings to shew he hath not a covetous disposition.

b 1.2 The word translated covetousnesse is a double compound. c 1.3 The simple word signifieth silver. The first compound d 1.4 love. Silver is the most usuall commodity which man exchangeth for other commodities: and it is put for all manner of riches, because by it all earthly things use to be purchased: Men ordinarily desire it, and treasure it up, and never think they have enough of it. In this respect a covetous man is styled a lover of silver: and a lover of silver is put for a covetous man.

The other compound is a privative or negative particle; and thereupon denies what the former compound affirmeth. That signified a lover of silver, or covetous. This no lover of silver, or not covetous.

There is another e 1.5 word used in the Greek Testament to set out one that is cove∣tous, which according to the notation of it signifieth to have more: intending a de∣sire of having more and more: so as it is never satisfied.

Both the words do set out the nature of a covetous man.

This sin of covetousnesse being here in the practice thereof expresly forbidden, I intend distinctly to declare these four points.

• 1. What the nature of covetousnesse is.
• 2. Wherein the practice thereof consisteth.
• 3. How hainous a sin it is.
• 4. What remedies may be prescribed against it.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.