Doctrine 3. Covetousnesse, where it prevaileth, doth most certainly produce this going astray from the right way.
This is gathered from these words: who loved the wages of unrighteousnesse: so 1 Timothy 6.17. He that trusts in uncertaine riches, doth not trust in the living God; and therefore he doth necessarily follow a new way clean contrary unto that which the true and living God hath shewed us.
Reason. Because a covetous man is obnoxious unto all the temptations of the devill, which have any shew of gaine; so that he accounts gaine godlinesse, 1 Timothy 6.5,9. and this is it which is meant in the text, they love the wages of unrighteousnesse, that is, they seek lucre, though it be joyned with the greatest iniquity.
Vse 1. This may serve to admonish us, to take heed therefore and flye from covetousnesse, as from the greatest plague and enemy of godlinesse, Colossians 3.5.
2. To exhort us, to labour for contentment, 1 Timothy 6.6,8.
Doctrine 4. All such wickednesse is rebuked by God.
This is gathered from the beginning of verse 16. But was rebuked, &c.
Reason 1. Because the Scripture and law it selfe which is transgressed by sin, doth therefore rebuke that sin, Romans 7.7.
2. The consciences of sinners do usually also check them, Romans 2.15.
3. The very creatures do it also after their manner, Deuteronomy 31.28. and if they should not in their appointed order sufficiently rebuke sinners, there should some extraordinary miracle be shewed rather then they should not be convicted, as we see here in the example of Balaam.