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

'Tis equally excellent as difficult. To be holy and heavenly in the midst of sensual tempting Objects, is the clearest discovery of the Truth and Power of Divine Grace, of the piety, ingenuity, and generosity of the Christian Spirit. Humility and Modesty in a low Condition, are not so praise worthy, as the absence of them is odious: but Humility ⟨p. 199⟩in a state of Honour, is more illustrious than the Splendour of external Dignity. Temperance in a Cottage, where are only supplies of hunger and thirst, seems rather the effect of Necessity, than of wise Choice: but to be temperate when abundance and variety tempt the sensual Appetites, when the sparkling colour and delicious relish of the purest Wines tempt the Fancy and the Palate, is Virtue in a height and excellency. To be pious, and weaned from the World in Afflictions, is no wonder; but in Prosperity and Power to be serious in Religion, and despise the splendid Vanities of the World, is Virtue of a superior Order. What is observed of the perfuming Gums of Arabia the Happy, is applicable in this matter: those ⟨p. 200⟩that distil freely from the Tree,¹ excel in purity, in fragrancy and value, what comes from it when the Bark of it is cut. Thus Obedience that comes from the heart in love with God for his Benefits, is more valuable and precious than what is the effect of Compulsion, that comes from the heart wounded with terrors in adversity.

'Tis equally excellent as difficult. To be holy and heavenly in the midst of sensual tempting Objects, is the clearest discovery of the Truth and Power of Divine Grace, of the piety, ingenuity, and generosity of the Christian Spirit. Humility and Modesty in a low Condition, are not so praise worthy, as the absence of them is odious: but Humility ⟨p. 199⟩in a state of Honour, is more illustrious than the Splendor of external Dignity. Temperance in a Cottage, where are only supplies of hunger and thirst, seems rather the effect of Necessity, than of wise Choice: but to be temperate when abundance and variety tempt the sensual Appetites, when the sparkling colour and delicious relish of the purest Wines tempt the Fancy and the Pallate, is Vertue in a height and excellency. To be pious, and weaned from the World in Afflictions, is no wonder; but in Prosperity and Power to be serious in Religion, and despise the splendid Vanities of the World, is Vertue of a superior Order. What is observed of the perfuming Gums of Arabia the Happy, is applicable in this matter: those