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

(1.) A solemn thankful recognition of God, as the Author of our Beings, and all our Comforts, is continually due to him. The neglect of this is so contumelious to the Majesty and Glory of God, and so contrary to those most binding Obligations to his Mercy and Goodness, that 'tis an Offence infinitely provoking. In every Transgression the authority of the Lawgiver is despised; but this immediately reflects dishonour upon the Deity. As a common Felony is a breach of the King's ⟨p. 27⟩Laws, but Treason not only violates his Laws, but strikes immediately at his Person and Dignity. Now Prosperity inclines sensual Persons to this wretched neglect of God. The World, with all its desirable things has the Dominion and full Possession of the Understandings, Memories, and Hearts of Men, and serious Thoughts, with warm Affections towards God are banished from them. 'Tis the Character of a Wicked Person, but most proper to him in his Prosperity, God is ¹not in all his thoughts. Of this Impiety there are several Degrees: the highest is explicit Atheism, a disbelief of God and his Providence, of his Being and Bounty; and this is sometimes occasioned by plentiful Prosperity. And the Consequences are, Pride that ⟨p. 28⟩blasts the Mind, as it were, with Lightning, and Confidence in the things of this World. Of this we have astonishing Instances in the Scripture. Nebuchadnezzar transported in a vain-glorious flush of Joy, at the view of his magnificent Works, breaks forth in those lofty insolent Expressions; Is not this great Babel that I have built, for the House of my Kingdom, by the might of my Power, and the honour of my Majesty? as if he had been raised by his own power, and did not owe his Greatness to the King of Heaven. Thus 'tis charged against the Prince of Tyre, Thy Heart is lifted up because of ²thy Riches; and thou hast said, I am a God, and sit in the Seat of God; and thou sets thine Heart as the Heart of God. He presumed that his Throne for Glory and Stability ⟨p. 29⟩was like the Divine Kingdom, that cannot be shaken, and forgot that he was a frail Man in a mutable World. Plentiful Prosperity is so strong a Temptation to Atheism, that a wise and holy Saint earnestly deprecated it as a pernicious Snare: Give me not Riches, lest I