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

5. A moderate use of worldly things, is an excellent preservative from the Evil adhering to them. 'Tis a Divine Blessing, to partake of the Gifts of God with ⟨p. 220⟩contentment and tranquility, especially 'tis sweet to taste his Love in them. God gives to a Man that is good in his sight, Wisdom, and Knowledge, and Joy: that is, to use temperately and comfortably, outward Blessings. But the Flesh is the Devil's Solicitor, and persuades Men with a freer Fancy, and looser Affections, to enjoy the World, than is consistent with the prosperity of their Souls. When Diogenes observed with the many sick and languishing Persons, the Hydropic, Consumptive, and other Diseases, that came to the Temple of Aesculapius for recovery, and that after their Sacrifices they made a luxurious Feast, he cried out, Is this the way to recover Health? If you were sound, 'tis the speedy and effectual way to bring Diseases, and being ⟨p. 221⟩diseased, to bring Death to you. 'Tis applicable in a higher sense; the intemperate use of sensual Delights, weakens the Life and Vigour of the Soul in a Saint, and certainly brings Death to diseased Souls, that habitually indulge their corrupt Affections. The Apostle saith of the licentious Woman, She that lives in pleasure, is dead while she lives: an allusion to a Torch that is consumed by its own flames. Sensual. Lusts are cherished and pampered by Prosperity, and the carnal Heart over-rules the whole Man. Our Saviour charges his Disciples to beware of surfeiting and drunkenness. The indulging the lower Appetites, is natural to Men, but chiefly incident to those in Prosperity.¹ The great care of such should be, to use worldly things ⟨p. 222⟩with that modesty and measure, that the Divine Part, the Soul, may be untainted by them: that it may neither overvalue nor overdelight in them. The first degeneracy of Man is by sensual satisfaction. This expelled him from Paradise, and keeps him out ever since. The excess of Pleasures darken the Mind, stupefy the Conscience, extinguish the radiancy and vigour of the Spirit. Wine and Women take away ²the Heart. The Apostle speaks of those who are abandoned to Pleasures, they are past feeling; without