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

In the last place, from hence we should be warned to be always circumspect to avoid the Evils that usually attend Prosperity, to improve it to our eternal Advantage. Prosperity is not ⟨p. 196⟩like an infected Garment, that transfuses a contagious Malignity into every one that wears it. A Person that is rich and honourable, and in Power, may not only be a Saint, but the more a Saint by his dedicating and employing the Gifts of God to his Glory, and the Public Good. 'Tis a Point of high and holy Wisdom, and only taught in the School of Heaven, how to manage the opposite states of the present Life, so as not to be vainly swelling in Prosperity, nor broken and flagging in Adversity, but to preserve an equanimity, a constant composed mind, the blessed imitation of the divine Unchangeableness. St. Paul saith, without vain arrogance, I know both how to be abased, ¹and I know how to abound: every where, and in all things I am instructed, ⟨p. 197⟩both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 'Twas a secret of Spirit, not learned from Men, but from the holy Spirit of God. In some respects 'tis a more difficult exercise to manage Prosperity than Adversity. Many are like Hannibal, victorious in Arms, whilst conflicting with Adversity, and vanquished by enticing Pleasures. 'Tis observed of the Lamps in some of the Roman Tombs, that have burnt for many Ages, and are bright whilst kept close; that as soon as they are opened to the Air, a breath of Wind extinguishes them: Thus the Virtues of some shine in a low retired Condition, when there are no Temptations, no occasion of quenching them: but when brought forth into the open World, and should appear in ⟨p. 198⟩conspicuous Operations, their Virtues are of so weak and consumptive a Spirit, that the Light expires and dies. Even the Piety of David was chilled by Prosperity. 'Tis said, with an emphasis, concerning Jehoshaphat, that he² walked in the first Ways of his Father David: Intimating that his Religion was not so exact when he was in the Throne, as in his Banishment.