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

Affliction makes us retire within our Hearts, and shuts out the noisy throng of worldly distracting Objects; and then Truth and Conscience, that were under ⟨p. 189⟩unrighteous Restraints, will break the Fetters, and speak loudly and terribly to the Sinner. Affliction fixes the Mind upon those Objects, that duly considered, are able to terrify the most determined and resolved Sinner. There is no Man so prodigiously bad, so perfectly a Brute, but has at times some twinges of Conscience, some workings in his Spirit, some desires of Salvation. Even Balaam, who in the judgment of the Angel was more stupid than the Ass he rode on, yet had some springings in his heart towards Heaven; O that I might die the Death of the Righteous, and my last end may be like his: but these are fleeting and variable, and so weak in comparison of the Opposite desires of the Flesh, while Prosperity continues, that they ⟨p. 190⟩prove abortive. Now affliction deeds the flaming edge of the Affection to Vanity. When the Sinner feels the truth of the divine Threatenings, then he is effectually convinced of the Evil of Sin, and understands, by the beginning of Sorrows here, what the Issues will be hereafter, and retracts his foolish choice. In the time of Affliction, our Sins find us out; and 'tis most likely we shall then find our Sins out, and with repenting tears acknowledge them, and with hatred renounce them.

Affliction makes us retire within our Hearts, and shuts out the noisy throng of worldly distracting Objects; and then Truth and Conscience, that were under ⟨p. 189⟩unrighteous Restraints, will break the Fetters, and speak loudly and terribly to the Sinner. Affliction fixes the Mind upon those Objects, that duly considered, are able to terrify the most determin'd and resolved Sinner. There is no Man so prodigiously bad, so perfectly a Brute, but has at times some twinges of Conscience, some workings in his Spirit, some desires of Salvation. Even Balaam, who in the judgment of the Angel was more stupid than the Ass he rode on, yet had some springings in his heart towards Heaven; O that I might die the Death of the Righteous, and my last end may be like his: but these are fleeting and variable, and so weak in comparison of the Opposite desires of the Flesh, while Prosperity continues, that they