1. It may be discovered by frequent thoughts, which are the genuine issue of the soul, and discover the temper of the mind ; thoughts either by way of contemplation or contrivance. By way of contemplation, when our minds only run upon earthly things, and that with a savour and sweetness : Phil. iii. 19, ' Minding earthly things.' What a man doth muse upon, most think of when he is alone, and speak of in com- pany, that will show him the temper of his heart. When men think of the world, and speak of the world, their heart is where their trea-
VeU. 36.] SERMONS UPON PSALM CXIX. 387
sure is, Mat. vi. 21. Nay, when they cannot disengage themselves from these thoughts in God's worship ; their hearts go away in covet- ousncss, Ezek, xxxiii. 31. Or else thoughts hy way of contrivance : Isa. xxxii. 7, 8, ' Tlie liberal man deviseth liberal things, and the wicked man deviseth wicked devices.' The deliberations and debates of the soul discover the temper of it. A carnal heart is altogether exercised in carnal projects, as the rich fool discoursed and dialogised with himself. AVhen men are framing endless projects, carking and caring, not how to grow good and gracious, but great and high in the world, they discover the spirit of the world.
2. And as by thoughts, so by burning and urgent desires ; they are the pulses of the soul. As physicians judge by appetite, so may you by desires. A spiritual dropsy or an unsatisfied thirst argues a dis- tempered soul, when, like the horseleech's daughter, you still cry, Give, give, and you are never contented, but must have more.
3. By the course of your lives and actions, and the uniformity of your endeavours. How shall we know who is the covetous man whom the Lord abhors ? Luke xii. 21, 'So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God,' — a man that is always growing in estate, and never looks to his soul, and to be rich in grace, spiritual experiences, and rich in good works, which is chiefly meant there by being rich towards God, a man that seeks not the kingdom of God in the first place, for that which you love best you will seek for, you will be most careful and diligent to obtain. Well, then, when you mind heavenly things by the by, and are very slight in seeking and inquiring after God, furnishing your souls with grace, and getting assured hopes of heaven, and do not spy out advantages for the inward man, this evil disposition of the soul hath mightily invaded you, and then you can never do God any service.
Use 3. To press you to take heed of this great sin ; and if you would mortify it, mortify the roots of it, which are distrust and dis- content.
1. Distrust of God's providence. You that think you cannot do well unless you have a greater portion of worldly things, and that sets you upon carking, and if you have not this you cannot see how you and yours can be provided for ; cure this. How ? By God's promises : 1 Peter v. 7, ' Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you.' Cannot you trust God upon the security of a promise ? Cannot you go on in well-doing when the Lord hath said, ' I will never leave thee nor forsake thee ' ? Cure it by observing the usual course of God's providence. God provides for the young ravens, he clothes the lilies. It is Christ's argument. Will he be more kind to a raven than a child ? will he take more care of a flower than of a son, one that is in cove- nant with him ? Cure it by holy maxims and considerations. Ee- member all dependeth upon God's blessing: Luke xii. 15, ' Take heed and beware of covetousness.' How should we do so ? ' For a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.' Alas ! all is in God's hand, both being and well-being, life and estate, and all things else. God can soon blast abundance, and can relieve us in the deepest wants ; he can give you a sufficiency in your deei> poverty, 2 Cor. viii. 2. If you should go on carking and caring and
388 SERMONS UPON PSALM cxix. [Ser. XLII.
feathering your nests, God may take you off, or set your nests on fire. A little serves the turn to bring us to heaven ; and when our desires are moderate, God will not fail : Pro v. xvi. 8, ' Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.'
2. For discontent with your portion, that you may not always be craving more, meditate upon the baseness and vanity of worldly things. They do but deceive us with a vain show ; they cannot give us any true joy of heart, or peace of conscience, or security against future evil ; they cannot give you health of body, nor add one cubit to your stature, nor one day to your lives. Now, should we disquiet ourselves for a vain show ? Shall there be such toil in getting, such fear of losing, when they are of no more use to us in the hour of death ? When you need strength and comfort most, all these things will leave you shiftless, helpless, if they continue with you so long. Nay, reason thus : the more estate the more danger, the greater charge lieth upon you. Larger gates do but open to larger cares. There is more duty, more danger, more snares, more temj^tations. When you have more, you will be more difiicultly saved. It is a truth pronounced by the Lord of truth, that it is 'a hard matter for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.' It will be more hard to keep the flesh in order, to guide our spirits aright in the ways of God. If you must needs be coveting, labouring, and carking, you are called to better things : John vi. 27, ' Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life ; ' ' Covet the best gifts," 1 Cor. xii. 31. Be as passionate for grace as others are for the world. If once you were acquainted with these better things, it would be so with you ; you would never leave the fair and fresh pastures of grace for the barren heath of the world. If you did once taste the sweet of heavenly things, then let dogs scramble for bones and scraps ; you have hidden manna to feed upon, the sense of God's love to look after, hopes of everlasting glory wherewith to solace your souls. If once you did taste of these everlasting riches you would do so : 1 Tim. vi. 10, 11, there are many that ' through the love of money have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteous- ness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.' Let the men of the world, whose portion and happiness lieth here, scramble for these things ; but you, that profess yourselves children of God, follow after all the gifts and graces of the Spirit ; let that be your holy covetous- ness, to increase in these thinsrs.