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

Now in Prosperity, when the Senses are entertained with variety of alluring Objects, the Fancy ⟨p. 19⟩is more predominant and contagious: It has more force, vivacity, and extent, the more 'tis conversant about sensible things: And the polluted Imagination is the most active and general Principle of corrupting the Heart: for the Mind transcribes a Copy of what is written in the Fancy, and presents it with a false gloss to the Will, that is ready to choose what brings actual pleasure. And the sensitive Affections are excited by the Fancy, so that the presence of a suitable Object, foments the warmth into heat, and turns the heat into fire, and the fire into flame. And the more the carnal Affections are indulged, the more they are enlarged, the more importunate and head-strong they become; and the Soul is utterly disabled from recovering it ⟨p. 20⟩self from the besotted vile prostitution, to the ignoble and unruly Appetites. Millions had been less guilty and defiled, and less miserable for ever, if they had not been surrounded by pleasant Temptations and entanglements of Iniquity.

Now in Prosperity, when the Senses are entertained with variety of alluring Objects, the Fancy ⟨p. 19⟩is more predominant and contagious: It has more force, vivacity, and extent, the more 'tis conversant about sensible things: And the polluted Imagination is the most active and general Principle of corrupting the Heart: for the Mind transcribes a Copy of what is written in the Fancy, and presents it with a false gloss to the Will, that is ready to chuse what brings actual pleasure. And the sensitive Affections are excited by the Fancy, so that the presence of a suitable Object, foments the warmth into heat, and turns the heat into fire, and the fire into flame. And the more the carnal Affections are indulg'd, the more they are inlarg'd, the more importunate and head-strong they become; and the Soul is utterly disabled from recovering it ⟨p. 20⟩self from the besotted vile prostitution, to the ignoble and unruly Appetites. Millions had been less guilty and defiled, and less miserable for ever, if they had not been surrounded by pleasant Temptations and intanglements of Iniquity.