cannot come in and therefore till then I had as good walk according to the sight of mine eyes and imagination of mine heart I shall have life in conclusion And if not if I be reprobated or past by how then can I live surely this is the evil fruit of that root of rotteness And yet as it was with the Pharisees of old who charged Christ with being a blasphemer and what he said with blasphemy while they themselves were indeed such and guilty thereof so it is now with these new ones they fault the Gospel of Christ as preached by him and the Apostles as that which gives incouragement to walk after the flesh whilst in truth that is the issue of their false doctrines this way of the old Pharisees was their folly and yet their posterity the new ones approve their sayings such are to be pittyed and prayed for that their eyes may be opened for many of them have a zeal of God but not according to knowledg Rom. 10. 1 2 3. But this is their manner when such as are hearers of the Gospel miscarry and woe to the world because of offences it 's a great judgment to them when God permits and orders such stumbling blocks before a people and the Father and the Sons fall together upon them Jer. 6. 21. But though Israel thus play the harlot let not Judah offend let them not have low thoughts of the Testimony of Jesus because there are such spots found on some that joyn with them as are not the spots of his people but rather love his law more abundantly by how much the more others make it void and so receive it to purpose that they may give none occasion of offence but that men seeing their good works may glorisy their Father which is in Heaven 1 Cor. 10. 32. Math. 5. 14. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 11-18 and 3. 16. 4. In that our Savior gives this admonition not to the man onely who made this request but to others also we may learn That when miscarriages are found with one that heares the word there is occasion given to warn others also and that all of us should in stead of judging the law of liberty take warning and beware of that evil root which brought forth such pernicious fruit in one amongst us Thus our Savior by occasion of the young mans departure from him as the issue of his Covetousness admonishes his disciples Mark 10. 17-24 see also Math. 16. 22-27 Oh let us so cousider the transgressions of others as to receive instruction that we may fear and do no more so presumptuously The fall of Gods people in former times are therefore recorded not that we should imitate them or boast against them as if our mountain were so strong setled that we could never be moved but for our admonition least we fall after the same example of unbelief Rom. 11. 18-22 1 Cor. 9. 27. and 10. 1-12 Heb. 4. 1-11 Be we not high-minded but fear For we have sin also dwelling in us and have sinned and if we have been preserved from such gross evils as others have been polluted with 't is by grace we are saved and that excludes boasting and high-mindedness every where And let us be warned on fight of others evils to beware of that which hath occasion'd their wandrings for otherwise our evils will be aggravated if when we see the falls of others and the bitter fruit thereof we consider not our ways so as to turn our feet to his testinonies Jer. 3. 7-11 Zeph. 3. 6-7 5. In that our Savior on this occasion so largly instructs and admonishes this man and his disciples c. it shews that he knows how to bring good out of evil to cause the wrath of man to praise him c. Psal 76. 10. And to make the miscarriage of those that hear him of blessed usefulness to themselves others This is not the fruit of their wandring but of his graciousness to man and more abundant kindness and pity to his little ones who after tastes of his graciousness have back-slidden while he is waiting upon them that he may be gracious to them He needed not this mans venting forth his covetous inclination to the occasioning these Instructions for he knew before what was in his heart but he takes occasion thereby to magnifie the greatness and cordialness of his love even as in our first departure from God in Adam he took occasion to shew forth his grace toward us so as that where sin abounded grace abounded much more so he doth still while called to day he doth permit men sometimes to fall when they have hardned their hearts against the reproofs of Instruction and to reap somewhat of the fruit of their former stiff-neckedness that they may see what an evil and bitter thing it is to forsake him and yet brings light out of darkness and is graciously creating the fruit of his lips Peace Peace to him that is far off and to him that is nigh and will heal them So that such may say Thanks be to God they were the servants of sin but have now from the heart obeyed that form of Doctrine delivered to them Rom. 6. 17. Thus he suffered Peter when he would not be admonished to deny him that he might seeing somewhat of the evil fruit of his confidence be broken off there-from and have pride hidden from him and not trust again in his own strength See also John 6. 30-60 and 20. 25-29 and 3. 4-21 6. In that our Savior doth not simply admonish of this evil desire of the mans as vented forth but of the root of it he doth instruct us not onely to cut off the superfluous branches but even to lay the Axe to the root of the tree James 1. 21. But to this more may be said hereafter In the words themselves we have 1. An Admonition which our Savior gives Take heed and beware of Covetousness 2. A Motive or Argument which he lays down to seal home the Admonition For a mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth From the whole Verse we shall note 1. That those that hear the Word need to be admonished to take heed and beware of Covetousness 2. That they may take heed and beware of it in the light and strength of Gods grace 3. That the consideration of this that a mans life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth is also proper as viewed in the glorious Gospel to move us to take heed and beware of it 1. That those that hear the word had need to be admonished to take heed and beware of Covetousness That this may be of some usefulness to us consider 1. What this Covetousness here admonished of is 2. What contained in the admoniton Take heed and beware of it 3. We shall demonstrate it that they need and shew wherefore they need to be admonished of it 1. What this Covetousness here admonished of is
yet this tooke not away their esteem among the people Math. 23. 25-28 Yea though they devoured widdows houses yet for a pretence they made long prayers Math. 23. 14. and so might be thought in their thus swallowing up the poor to do it onely in piety and godliness and that the Church might be honor'd and provided for and this disposed to pious uses as also they pretended when they honor'd not their parents as is said Math. 15. 4-6 so the Apostle tells us That in the last days perillous times should come For men should have a form of Godliness and deny the power thereof namely either deny the mystery of Godliness that God was manifest in the flesh and so deny Jesus to be the Christ or deny the preaching of the Cross in the words which the Holy Ghost hath taught it or else deny the force and efficacy of it upon them and receive not the love of the truth so as to be saved thereby now of these he saith they are lovers of their own selves covetous 2 Tim-3 2. 5 they minded earthly things and yet had a form of Godliness And according as was foretold by the Apostle so doubtless it is in our days many that appear very zealous and religious persons and that do as the Pharisees did esteem themselves better than others yet their heart goes after their covetousness and these new Pharisees fill up if not exceed the measure of their Fathers evil men and seducers waxing worse and worse as was foretold and such suppose gain to be Godliness namely the seeking after that and what conduces thereto to be a right and strait worshipping of God 1 Tim. 6. 5. and thus it was in former times those who were given to this iniquity were well spoken of and cryed up and followed while the true Prophets were hated and persecuted Compare Luk. 6. 26. with Jer. 8. 8-10 and 6. 13. Isa 56. 10. 11. Yea and as this iniquity consists with a form of Godliness so also it leads men yea and the leaders also who are given to it to cry peace peace to them who are guilty of it and to flatter them as if they were in a safe condition and that their covetousness is nothing else but a provident care and circumspection and looking after the main Joh. 12. 5 6. and their laying up for themselves treasures on earth is nothing but their duty providing for their families which whoso doth not is worse than an infidel and so men are strengthned in their wickedness that none that listen to them return from their iniquity Jer. 6. 13 14. and 8 8-11 Yea and by means of the former considerations it appeares that it is a very hidden iniquity it is so cover'd over either with a cloak of Godliness as it was with the Pharisees Math. 15. 4-6 and 23. 14. or with a cloak of righteousness and honesty as with men generally that it is a very difficult thing to discern and discover it it so seeks to shroud it self under Godliness and honesty to both which it is an enemy as before that untill it break forth into many of its fruits or some gross ones it 's very hard so to see it as to fasten a reproof on it and so much the Apostle may signify when he saith Neither used we at any time flattering words as ye know they might be competent judges of that Nor a cloak of covetousness God is witness here he appeals not to them for this might have been so hidden they might not have discerned it but to God which trieth the heart who onely knows the truth of it and discovers it by his word which is quick and powerfull Heb. 4 12 13. 1 Thess 2. 5. Now then by how much the more this iniquity is so highly esteemed of amongst men and such an one as in which other desires of the mind are infolded and so exceeding grateful Yea and it so consisting with a form of Godliness also and being so generally inclined unto and served by the Saints of the world and they ready to cry peace peace to those that are polluted with it and having such a large and comely cloak to cover it self with that it can hardly be discern'd by so much the more we have all the greater need to be admonished to take heed and beware of it it being such a well favoured iniquity in the eyes of men and of those that seem religious also And as those seducers that come to corrupt from the simplicity that is in Christ are the more dangerous the more specious they are in the outside of them and therefore are we so often admonished of them Math. 7. 14. 2 Cor. 11. 12-15 so these iniquities that are so closely covered over with other names and look't upon as vertues and so highly esteemed amongst men are therefore the more carefully to be avoided by us lest we deceive our own selves Demon. 4. The disciples of Christ need to be admonished of this iniquity also because how ever specious it is amongst men yet it is an abomination in the sight of God and doth greatly provoke his wrath and for serving this iniquity the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience namely it comes continually upon them while men continue it it and are not washed from it Eph. 5. 5. Col. 3. 5. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him saith the high and holy one Isa 57. 17. And so 1. He is wroth for this and smites with the rod of his mouth Psal 110. 2. Isa 11. 4. even with reproofes and sharp rebukes in his word and the faithfull declaration thereof He will reprove them and set their iniquity in order before them as Psal 50. 21. So as even to wound them and gall their spirits and so he is said to hew by his Prophets to slay with the words of his mouth Hos 6 5. and though this be to a gracious end as are all his doings while called to day yet it is an effect of his wrath or anger for mens holding fast deceit and refusing to return and very grievous to him that forsaketh the way Pro. 15. 10. The word of God in it's reproving and discovering efficacy is quick and powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword Heb 4. 12. it even wound the spirit of a man when he seals home his rebukes in sharpness upon any one so as he onely can heal it again by creating the fruit of his lips in his Testimony peace peace c. Isa 57. 18 19. when he chides and chides sharply he even breaks the heart that he may open mens ears to his discipline though he is slow to anger and therefore to chide and plenteous in mercy and therefore will not always chide no retain anger for ever but revive the heart of the contrite ones that the spirit may not fail before him Psal 103. 8 9. Isa 57. 15. 2. And if mens uncircumcised hearts are not humbled and
Lord Christ's and the fulness thereof Psal 24. 1. with 1 Cor. 10. 21-26 All power is given to him in Heaven and in Earth Math. 28. 18. Indeed this is not gloriously manifested now as it shall be hereafter but we by faith may know that God hath put all things under his feet Eph. 1. 21 22. All that the Father hath is his Joh. 16. 15. and he as thus furnished hath given us assurance in his promises that in seeking him we shall have of these things what he sees needful and good for us which promises are so ratified and sealed by his blood that there is no reason or room left for us while walking in the light of the Lord to call into question his faithfulness in performing see how the Holy Ghost sets this before us to preserve from covetousness and from the practise of those that exercise themselves thereto Our Savior when he warns his disciples of taking thought for their life or body he gives this instruction and promise to them seek ye first in and unto all things the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things namely what you shall eat what you shall drink and wherewith you shall be cloathed shall be added to you Math. 6. 24-34 so the Apostle saith Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have namely as you have prepared in Christ in whom all things are yours even the world life things present c. 1 Cor. 3. 21-23 and which you have assured to you in his promises and he is giving to you in his way For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper c. Heb. 13. 5 6. Psal 34 8-10 Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him upon them that hope in his mercy to deliver their soul from death and to keeps them alive in famine Psal 33. 18 19. see also Psal 37. 3 4 19. and 84. 10 11. He hath not promised us meat for our lust or that he will give unto us such accommodations as our naturall spirit is desiring and craving that may be hurtful for us but what ever he sees we need to our seeking him he will not withhold Yea he may bring his people into many straits so that they may be in hunger and thirst in fastings in cold and nakedness for the trial of their faith and that they may learn to live the life they live in the flesh by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave himself for us But he will cause all things to work together for good to them that love God who are the called according to purpose Rom. 8. 28-32-37 39. Yea and he that gave his Son in due time to dye for us ungodly ones while without strength will in due time and seasonably be mindful of his covenant in giving meat to them that fear him till they have finished their course Psal 111. 4 5. Oh what powerful arguments are contain'd and what compleat incouragement is given to us in this word of the beginning of Christ to strengthen us to receive this admonition viz To take heed and beware of covetousness 2. That men may take heed and beware of covetousness while called to day is manifest in what Jesus Christ is now doing in his present work and office whereto the Father hath appointed him and that both in what he doth to us from Heaven in the name of the Father and in what he doth for us in Heaven with the Father in both which he is the Savior of all men especially of them that believe And so 1. Jesus Christ who hath made peace for us by his blood and is our peace in whom dwelleth the fulness of the Godhead bodily is appointed and hereby fitted to be and is the great Apostle by whom God hath spoken to us in these last days and by whom he still speaketh in his Testimony by his Spirit to our spirits that we might know the things freely prepared for us and given us in himself that through the knowledge of it we might be redeemed from the Earth he is the great peace-preacher preventing every man in due time with some discoveries of his goodness and especially us amongst whom the Scriptures in the records thereof are preserved He is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world and more advantage doth he give to us upon whom his name is called in opening our blind eyes in due time and turning us to God from Idols and so saving us from our sins For to this end hath God appointed him to be the light that he might save us for thus he saith I have given thee for a light of the Gentiles that by this means thou maâ—st be for salvation to the ends of the Earth Act. 13. 47. The grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly c. Tit. 2. 11 12. it brings salvation to all men in due season not finds it in men beforehand and it is saving not onely it hath such a tendency in it but also there is saving strength accompanying it to strengthen men to receive it in it's appearance and therewith to deny worldly lusts c. Otherwise how glorious soever the things be which Christ hath wrought and obtained into himself for us men cannot take heed and beware of any thing reproved For man is born like a wild Asses colt the way of peace they know not they have no wisdom in them they cannot know those things which belong to their peace for they are spiritually discerned nor can they see the iniquity of covetousness but may think it to be godliness every man by his knowledge is bruitish and thence they have no freedom of will to chuse life and refuse death no affection to or desire after things that are above But God hath put his spirit upon his Son and hath given him for a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes c. Isa 42. 1-6 7. and 49. 6-9 and good and upright faithful to him that appointed him is the Lord therefore will he teach sinners in the way Psal 25. 8. so that when men are walking in the iniquity of their covetousness to the provoking God to wrath and to smite them c. he to recover them therefrom creates the fruits of his lips peace peace to him that is far off Isa 57. 17-19 he makes known his words to the worst of sinners and particularly to those that are greedy of gain and therewith reproving them Pro. 1. 19-23 upon whom doth not his light arise Job 25. 3. The Holy Spirit doth convince the world of sin because they believe not on Christ that is he doth both reprove and fault them and not onely so but convince them and evidence to them that this is their