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

The Carnal Heart, in the full fruition of the World, is apt to ascribe all to the course of Nature, or to humane Contrivance and Endeavours, without any serious acknowledgement of the Divine Liberality and Beneficence. Prodigious Ingratitude, and equal Folly! As if one should imagine that a Fountain of Water had not its original from the Sea, but from the Marble Stones, through which it immediately and visibly springs. Or as if it were ⟨p. 30⟩requisite the Hand of the Giver should be as visible as his Gifts.

The Carnal Heart, in the full fruition of the World, is apt to ascribe all to the course of Nature, or to humane Contrivance and Endeavours, without any serious acknowledgment of the Divine Liberality and Beneficence. Prodigious Ingratitude, and equal Folly! As if one should imagine that a Fountain of Water had not its original from the Sea, but from the Marble Stones, through which it immediatly and visibly springs. Or as if it were ⟨p. 30⟩requisite the Hand of the Giver should be as visible as his Gifts.

Now although few arrive to this height of Impiety in actual Thoughts and open Words; yet prosperous Sinners are always guilty of an interpretative and virtual denial of God: they have not a solemn grateful remembrance of their Benefactor and his Benefits, and a due sense of their dependence upon him. It was the wise and holy Counsel of Moses to Israel, When they should be possest of Canaan, a place full of delight and profit, * When thou ¹shalt have eaten, and art full, then beware lest thou forget the Lord. The Caution so enforced, intimates a sinful disposition in the carnal Heart, in Prosperity to neglect God. There may be a notional remembrance of him in the Mind, ⟨p. 31⟩a naked ascription of all good things to his Providence, a complemental visit in exterior Worship; yet without an inward cordial sense of our dear Obligations for his most free Favours. The Apostle charges the Rich in this World, not to trust in uncertain Riches, but in the living God. So foolishly are Men prone to depend for protection, reputation, and provision of all things upon their Estates, as if they were unconsumable, and neglect God their Rock, who is the alone sufficient Foundation of all our Hopes and Comfort.