§. 58. Of humiliation for and det•…•…station of Covetousness.
AMong other sinnes, this of covetousness ministreth to Professors of the Gos∣pel great and deep matter of humiliation. Is it not a shame for such as have heaven set before them, and that prepared before all time by the good pleasure of God, purchased in the fulness of time by the precious blood of the Sonne of God, reserved to be enjoyed by them after all times for ever and ever, that they should dote upon earth and earthly things which are base and transitory? and that in and under the light of the Gospel, whereby the surpassing excellency of things above, and excessive vanity of things below, is distinctly and clearly laid down? What a shame is it that sonnes of God cannot be content with that portion which their hea∣venly Father provideth for them? Should professors have that deeply rooted in their hearts, and openly practised in their life, which the Apostle would not have to be once named amongst Christians? Eph. 5. 3. Doth not such a shamefull and disgracefull rag of the old man, give great matter of humiliation?
That which gives men just cause of humiliation, because they are infected with it, should make them so to detest it, as to give no rest to their souls, till it be purged out of them. Unless this use be added to the former uses, they will be strong convictions against us, and aggravations of our condemnation. For to examine ones soul about covetousness, so farre as to finde it out, and to be hum∣bled thereupon, will be an evidence, that if we loath it not, we like it, we love it, we are willing to entertain it, even against knowledge and conscience: herein we make our judgement the more heavy. You therefore that know covetousness to be a sinne, an •…•…einous sinne, and know your selves to be guilty thereof, and are brought to be humbled for your former practice thereof, abhorre it for the fu∣ture. In detestation thereof say, I abhorre my self and repent in dust and ashes, Ioh 41. 6. Every evil is to be abhorred, Rom. 12. 9. Much more such as are dis∣gracefull to the Christian profession. Hate this therefore more then biting and poysoning creatures: and be dehorted and disswaded from all covetous practises before mentioned, See §. 50, 51, 52. The hainousness of this sinne (set out §. 53.) is a strong motive to inforce this disswasion.