The danger of prosperity discovered in several sermons upon Prov. I. 27 /

5. From hence we are instructed to judg truly and wisely of Afflictions: they are the necessary and merciful Dispensations of ⟨p. 186⟩Heaven to recover Sinners corrupted by Prosperity, and to return them to God. Sense, tho its principal end is to preserve the Body, is not always a fit judg of things beneficial to it: the Appetites and Aversions are sometimes pernicious: One in a Dropsy drinks to quench his Thirst, and increases his Distemper. A bitter Potion is rejected by a sick Child, not considering that a Medicine, not Sweet-meats, can cure his Disease. The pleasure of the taste, is no certain indication of what is wholesome for Health: much more uncapable is Sense to judg of what is useful for the Soul. Reason is entirely renounced, and fallacious Sense is in the Throne, when Prosperity with its gaudy Allurements is esteemed as our Happiness, and ⟨p. 187⟩Adversity is abhorred as the worst Misery. The Wise Man instructed by dear Experience, tells us, It is better to go to the House of ¹Mourning▪ than to go to the House of Feasting: for that is the end of all Men, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than Laughter: for by the sadness of the Countenance, the Heart is made better. The Heart of the Wise is in the House of Mourning, but the Heart of Fools is in the House of Mirth. Prosperity irritates and fortifies the sensual vile Affections, the pleasing of which is fatal to the ^*Soul. As 'tis observed by the natural Historian, that the sparkling Colour and delicious Relish of Wine, tempts Men to drinking without thirst; and from Intemperance, innumerable Diseases flow.

5. From hence we are instructed to judg truly and wisely of Afflictions: they are the necessary and merciful Dispensations of ⟨p. 186⟩Heaven to recover Sinners corrupted by Prosperity, and to return them to God. Sense, tho its principal end is to preserve the Body, is not always a fit judg of things beneficial to it: the Appetites and Aversions are sometimes pernicious: One in a Dropsy drinks to quench his Thirst, and increases his Distemper. A bitter Potion is rejected by a sick Child, not considering that a Medicine, not Sweet-meats, can cure his Disease. The pleasure of the taste, is no certain indication of what is wholsome for Health: much more uncapable is Sense to judg of what is useful for the Soul. Reason is entirely renounc'd, and fallacious Sense is in the Throne, when Prosperity with its gaudy Allurements is esteemed as our Happiness, and