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William Gouge
William Gouge (November 1, 1575 – December 12, 1653) was an English Puritan preacher, scholar, and author whose 45-year ministry at St. Ann Blackfriars in London made him a leading voice in 17th-century Reformed theology. Born in Bow, Middlesex, to Thomas Gouge and Elizabeth Calton, he grew up in a devout family tied to the merchant class—his father a liveryman of the Wax Chandlers. Educated at Felsted School, Eton College (1590–1595), and King’s College, Cambridge (B.A. 1598, M.A. 1602), Gouge excelled in classics and theology, mastering Hebrew and Greek. Ordained around 1607, he married Elizabeth Calton (possibly a cousin) in 1604, fathering 13 children, seven of whom survived infancy, despite losing her to childbirth complications in 1626. Gouge’s preaching career began in 1608 when he succeeded Stephen Egerton as rector of St. Ann Blackfriars, a Puritan stronghold near St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he served until his death. Known for his methodical, practical sermons—delivered twice on Sundays and once midweek—he drew diverse crowds with expositions of Scripture, notably a 15-year series on Hebrews published posthumously as A Learned and Very Useful Commentary on the Whole Epistle to the Hebrews (1655). His most famous work, Of Domestical Duties (1622), outlined Christian family roles, sparking debate for its strict views on wifely submission. A Westminster Assembly member from 1643, he helped draft the Westminster Confession, advocating Presbyterian governance over episcopacy.
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William Gouge preaches on covetousness as an immoderate desire for riches, emphasizing that it consists of an unsatiable desire for more than what God provides. He distinguishes between a lawful desire for riches, which can be prayed for, and covetousness, which is an immoderate desire for excess wealth beyond what is necessary. Gouge highlights that covetousness is a sin of the heart, not dependent on one's material possessions, and warns against the dangers of desiring superfluity.
Of the Nature of Covetousness
Covetousness is an immoderate desire of riches. The apostle implieth as much, under this phrase, boulomenoi ploutein they that will be rich, 1 Tim. vi. 9; under that word, will, a desire, and that unsatiable desire, is comprised. The notation of both the words before mentioned, namely, love of silver and desire of having more, do demonstrate that covetousness consisteth in a desire. Desire of riches is not simply covetousness, for a man may lawfully pray for them. So much is intended in the fourth petition. Now what a man may pray for, he may desire, with the same limitations as he may pray for it. Therefore it is an immoderate desire: that is, when a man is not content with that portion which God by his providence in a lawful and warrantable course doth afford unto him, but (according to the apostle's phrase) he will be rich; he will have more than God alloweth him in a fair way; and if he cannot otherwise get more, he will be discontent. The general object of covetousness is riches. Under this word all the commodities of this world are comprised, and withal abundance of them, yea, more than is necessary. Things necessary may be desired, but not superfluity, Prov. xxx. 8. This sin is especially in the heart. One may have little, and yet be covetous; and one may be rich, and yet free from covetousness.
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William Gouge (November 1, 1575 – December 12, 1653) was an English Puritan preacher, scholar, and author whose 45-year ministry at St. Ann Blackfriars in London made him a leading voice in 17th-century Reformed theology. Born in Bow, Middlesex, to Thomas Gouge and Elizabeth Calton, he grew up in a devout family tied to the merchant class—his father a liveryman of the Wax Chandlers. Educated at Felsted School, Eton College (1590–1595), and King’s College, Cambridge (B.A. 1598, M.A. 1602), Gouge excelled in classics and theology, mastering Hebrew and Greek. Ordained around 1607, he married Elizabeth Calton (possibly a cousin) in 1604, fathering 13 children, seven of whom survived infancy, despite losing her to childbirth complications in 1626. Gouge’s preaching career began in 1608 when he succeeded Stephen Egerton as rector of St. Ann Blackfriars, a Puritan stronghold near St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he served until his death. Known for his methodical, practical sermons—delivered twice on Sundays and once midweek—he drew diverse crowds with expositions of Scripture, notably a 15-year series on Hebrews published posthumously as A Learned and Very Useful Commentary on the Whole Epistle to the Hebrews (1655). His most famous work, Of Domestical Duties (1622), outlined Christian family roles, sparking debate for its strict views on wifely submission. A Westminster Assembly member from 1643, he helped draft the Westminster Confession, advocating Presbyterian governance over episcopacy.