thirst insatiably after more, will break over the hedge of God's command, and to get riches will stick at no sin. Qui nihil satis est, eidem nihil turpe, Tacitus. Therefore covetousness is called a radical vice, 1 Tim. vi. 10., " The root of all evil." Quid non mortalia pectora cogit, auri sacra fames ? The Greek word for covetousness (pleonexia) signifies an inordinate desire of getting. Covetousness is not only in getting riches unjustly, but in loving tliem inordinately: this is a key opens the door to all sin. It causeth, \st. Theft ; Achan's covetous hu- mour made him steal that wedge of gold which cleft asunder his soul from God, Josh. vii. 21. 2d, It causeth treason. What made Judas betray Christ ? It was the thii-ty pieces of silver. Mat. xxA'i. 5. Sd, It pro- duccth murder. It was the inordinate love of the vineyard made Ahah conspire Na- both's death, 1 Kings xxi. 13. Ath, It is the root of perjury, 2 Tim. iii. 3. IMen shall be covetous ; and it follows, truce- breakers. Love of silver will make men take a false oath, and break a just oath. bth, It is the spring of apostacy, 2 Tim. iv. 10., " Hemas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world." He did not only forsake Paul's company, but his doctrine. Demas afterwards became a priest in an idol-temple, saith Dorotheus. dth, Cove- tousness will make men idolaters. Col. iii. 5., " Covetousness Avhich is idolatry." Though the covetous man will not worship graven images in the church, yet he will worship the graven image in his coin. 7M, Covetousness makes men give themselves to the devil. Pope Sylvester II. did sell his soul to the devil for a popedom. Covetou$j persons forget this prayer, " Give us daily bread," that which may satisfy natme, but they an; insatiable in their desire. O let us take heed of this dry -dropsy : Heh. xiii. 5., " Be content with such things as ye have." Natiira parvd dimittitiir, Seneca. Tliat we may be content with daily bread, — that which God in his j)rovidence carves out to us, — and not covet or murmur, let me j)rop()se these things.
1. God can bless a little^ Exod. xxiii. 25.,
OF THE FOURTH PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
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* Tie will bless thy bread and tliy water." A blessing puts sweetness into tlie least morsel of bread, it is like su<i;ar in wine, Ps. exxxii. 15., " I will bless her provision." Daniel, and the three ehildren, ate pulse, (whieli was a eoarse fare,) yet they looked fairer than those who did eat of the kin^j's meat, Dan. i. 12. Whence was this? Ciod did infuse a more than ordinary blessing into the pnlse : God's blessing was better than the king's venison : a piece of bread with God's love is angels' food.
2. God, who gives us our allowance, — knows what quantity of these outward things is fittest for us; a smaller provision may be fitter for some ; bread may be better than dainties ; every one cannot bear an high condition, no more than a weak brain can bear heavy wine. Ilath one a larger pro])ortion of worldly things ? God sees he can better manage such a condition ; he can order his affairs with discretion, which per- haps another cannot ; as he hath a large estate, so he hath a large lieart to do good, Tvhich perhaps another hath not; this should make us content with a shorter bill of fare; God's wisdom is what we must acquiesce in, lie sees what is best for every one ; that which is good lor one, may be bad for an- otlicr.
3. In being content with daily bread, — that which God carves for us, though it be a lesser jiiece, — much grace is seen in this; all the graces act their ])art in a contented soul. As the holy ointment was made up of several spices, myrrh, cinnamon, cassia, Exo<l. XXX. 23., so, contentment hath in it a mixture of several graces ; there is faith, a Christian believes God doth all for the best, — and love, which thinks no evil, but takes: all (iod doth in good part, — and pa- tience, submitting cheerfully to what God orders wisely. God is much pleased to see so many graces at once sweetly exercised, like so many bright stars shining in a con- etellation.
4. To be content with daily l>read, — the allowance God gives, though but sparingly, — doth keep us from many temptations, which discontented persons fall into. A\ hen the devil sees a person just of Israel's hu- mour, not content with manna, but must have quails, saith Satan, here is good fishing
for me. Satan oft tempts discontented ones to minmuring, an<l to unlawful means, coz- ening an<l (lef"raii(lii)g ; and he who increas- eth an estate by indirect means, stuffs his pillow with thorns, and his head will lie very uneasy when he comes to die. If you would be freed from the temptations which discontent exposeth to, be content with sucii things as ye have, bless God for " daily bread."