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no intimation of this circumstance was contained in the announcement. But we too frequently find, that it is much easier to làud a virtue than to practice it, and to denounce a vicious principle than to act in opposition to it.

The Essay is now presented to the public by the Author, on his own responsibility, as he originally intended, in the hope that it may not be altogether inefficient, in counteracting the principle of Covetousness, and stimulating the Christian to those noble acts of Beneficence by which physical and moral evil may be prevented, religious society improved, and the world enlightened and regenerated. Having been composed in the course of four or five months, and in the midst of many interruptions and avocations, it is hoped, the critical reader will candidly overlook any slight inaccuracies it may contain.

Should any pecuniary emolument be derived from the sale of this volume, the greater portion of it will be devoted to the purpose of social and religious improvement.

BROUGHTY FERRY near DUNDEE,

GENERAL CONTENTS.

Remarks on the necessity of giving more particular attention to the

duties of practical Chistianity, &c. pp. 13-18. Plan of the Essay, 18.

On the disposition or propensity designated by COVETOUSNESS and

the VARIOUS MODES in which it has operated in the world, and in Chris-

tian society.

General remarks description of covetousness, 19, 20.

SECTION 1. On the operations and effects of covetousness as displayed

in the world at large, 21.

Historical sketch of its operations and progress in ancient times,

22-3. Modern examples-plunder of Mexico and Peru-Slave trade-

Colonization, Piracy, &c. 23-31.

SECTION 2. On the effects of covetousness, and the manner in which

it has displayed itself among those who acknowledge the authority of

Christianity, and profess to submit to its dictates, 32.

Benevolent dispositions of the first Christians, &c. 32-33. Progress

of Covetousness in the Christian Church-rapaciousness of the Popes

and Bishops-sale of indulgences-vast quantity of wealth extorted

from the people by the Romish church, on the continent and in Eng-

land-practices of the Pope's Nephews-extracts from the writings of

an Italian Catholic, &c. 34-44. Operations of covetousness in Pro-

testant and Evangelical churches, 45. Miscellaneous remarks._1.

Practice of hoarding money and acquiring houses and lands, 46. De-

scription of a miser, 49. Various examples of avarice, 50–53. 2.

Gratifying a desire for ostentatious display, 54. 3. Providing portions

for children, 57. 4. Covetousness in the mercantile transactions of

mankind, 60. 5. In cases of bankruptcy, 63. 6. As it sometimes ap-

pears in the conduct of ministers of religion, 43-47. Miscellaneous ex-

amples, in people professing evangelical religion, 65. Covetousness of

Great Britain, in a national point of view, 74. Various instances-

Revenues derived from the support of idolatry in India-scenes of Jug-

gernaut description of his temple, &c.-Pilgrim hunters-General re-

flections, 75-83.

On the inconsistency of Covetousness with the WORD of God, 99.

The idolatry and atheism of covetousness particularly illustrated, 99.

It forms an impassable barrier to the kingdom of heaven, 115-incon-

sistent with the idea of our being redeemed by the blood of Christ, 120-

inconsistent with love to God, 123—its malignity demonstrated from
the numerous cautions and exhortations of Scripture, in relation to this
propensity, 125. Selection of a variety of Scriptural declarations on
this subject, 126. General remarks and reflections, 130–2.

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offerings by Josiah, Hezekiah, David, &c. 187-9. 3. Predictions of
the prophets in reference to the liberality to be displayed by the Chris-
tian church, 190. Remarks on these predictions, 192. Amount of
what might be raised in our country, 195. Appeal to Christians; 195–7.

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