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

(3.) The Fear of God, is a most distant affection from the Heart of the foolish Sinner in his Prosperity. The Fear of Reverence, and the awful esteem of God, that proceeds from the reflection upon his glorious greatness, is a grace that remains in Heaven: ⟨p. 35⟩the Angels in all their bright degrees of Excellence cover their faces before his Throne. The fear of Circumspection that restrains from displeasing him upon the account of his Justice and Power, is a proper Affection to Men in the present state. The Blessed in Heaven are above this Fear, being confirmed in a state of unchangeable perfection and felicity: the Damned in Hell are below this Fear, in that no change can make their Condition worse: but 'tis most useful and congruous in this middle state. This Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom, the first and chiefest part of it in respect of Order and Dignity. For the true Notion of Wisdom, consists in the foresight of Evils, in the choice and use of effectual means to avoid it, and it is the best ⟨p. 36⟩Wisdom that avoids the greatest Danger. This Fear is the Principle of Conversion from Sin to Holiness; exciting us to make God our Friend, who is so dreadful an Adversary, so Holy and Just, that he will not connive at Sin, and spare the Guilty and Impenitent; and so powerful, that with one stroke he can utterly destroy his most stubborn Enemies. Carnal Security is directly opposite to this Fear of God, and nothing does more harden and fortify Men in Security, than a prosperous State. The Voluptuous and Sensual are without apprehension of Danger, till imminent and in their view. Because they ¹have no changes, therefore they fear not God. Uninterrupted Prosperity tempted them to Atheistical Security: and as none are solicitous ⟨p. 37⟩and in anxiety, lest the Sun, whose presence is the support and beauty of the World, should not arise in the morning, because its regular course is established and constant; and it would be a Miracle contravening the Order of Nature if it should be stopped; Thus the long enjoyment of Plenty, and Ease, and Peace, renders Men constantly secure and fearless, as if the tenor of their Prosperity were invariable, and no evil could disturb it;