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 ...

§. 54. Of Remedies against Covetousnesse.

FOr preventing or redressing Covetousnesse, these rules following are to be observed;

• 1. The judgement must rightly be informed in these two points,
  • 1. In the nature of true happinesse.
  • 2. In the vanity and deceitfulnesse of riches.

  Many Learned men want this point of understanding.

  It is the blindnesse of a mans minde that maketh him place a kind of happinesse in the things of this world; whereby he is brought even to doat upon them. If therefore we shall be rightly instructed, that happinesse consisteth in matters of another kind then this world affords; and that the things of this world are so vain as they can afford no solid comfort to a man, especially in spirituall distresse: and so uncertain as they may suddenly be taken away from men, or men from them, surely their immoderate desire of riches could not be but much allaied. He that said, There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us, (Psal. 4. 6.) well discerned the difference betwixt earth∣ly and heavenly blessings. So did he, who said, Riches profit not in the day of wrath, but righteousnesse delivereth from death, Pro. 11. 4.

• 2. The will and heart of man must follow the judgement well informed; and raise themselves up to that sphear where true happinesse resteth. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth, Col. 3. 2. This will keep the heart from doting on things below. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, Matth. 6. 21. A beast which is feeding in fair and fresh pasture will not stray into a bare and barren heath; much lesse will an understanding man that findes the sweetnesse of spirituall and heavenly blessings dote upon earthly trash. This made Paul account all outward things but dung, because his heart had tasted of the sweet∣nesse of Christ, Phil. 3. 8, &c.
• 3. A mans confidence must be placed on God and his providence. Gods pro∣vidence is an over-flowing, and ever-flowing fountain. The richest treasures of men may be exhausted; Gods cannot be. Be therefore fully resolved of this, that God will provide, Gen. 22. 8. This casting of our care on Gods providence is much pressed in Scripture, as Psal. 55. 22. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Matth. 6. 25, 26, &c. By experi∣ence we see how children depend on their parents providence: Should not we much more on our heavenly Father? This resting upon Gods providence is the more to be pressed in this case, because nothing makes men more to misplace their confidence, then riches. The rich mans wealth is his strong City, Prov. 10. 15.
• 4. Our appetite or desire of riches must be moderate. Herein be of his minde who thus prayed, Give me neither poverty nor riches ▪ feed me with food convenient for me, Prov. 30. 8. This is the main scope of the fourth petition, Matth. 6. 11. Be content therefore with that portion which God gives thee: and be perswaded it is best for thee. This lesson had Paul well learned, Phil. 4. 11. Contentednesse and covetousnesse are directly opposite as light and darknesse. The Apostle here in this Text opposeth them.
• 5. We must pray against covetousnesse, as, he who said, Incline my heart unto thy testimonies: and not to covetousnesse, Psal. 119. 36. We ought the rather to pray

• to God against it, because it is an hereditary disease; and in that respect the more hardly cured. It was one of Christs greatest miracles to cure one that was born blind, Ioh 9. 32.