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

3. Prosperity exposes dangerously to the tempting Power of Satan, whose Subtlety, Malice, and Diligence, is always exercised in training Men to Perdition. His destructive Power cannot make immediate impressions on the Soul, but he tempts by Objects without, and the Affections within; the World and the Flesh that are in combination with him. He is accordingly styled, the God of ¹this World, as he reigns in the Men of the World, by using the things of the World, to obtain and establish ⟨p. 41⟩his Kingdom. He blinds their eyes by glittering Temptations, deceives and surprises them by his Fallacies. And although 'tis difficult to conceive and unfold his internal Agency, and pernicious Operations; and 'tis certain he cannot make a forcible entry into the Soul, and tempt with prevalency and success, without the consent of the Will, yet we are told, that he is a prime Mover in the sins of Men. He entered into Judas, and by putting a lustre on the Silver, exciting his covetous desires, prevailed with him to betray the Lord of Glory. He works ²powerfully in the Children of Disobedience. They are as it were possessed and acted by his strong Incitations. They are said to be taken ³captive by him at his Will. 'Tis an allusion to the catching of ⟨p. 42⟩Beasts; when by the address and craft of the Hunters, they are drawn or urged into the toil prepared for them. Now Prosperity furnishes him with the Materials whereof he weaves the most fatal Snares: for his strength and art to destroy principally lie in specious Representations, and fallacious Promises of happiness in the enjoyment of worldly things. This will appear, by considering,

3. Prosperity exposes dangerously to the tempting Power of Satan, whose Subtilty, Malice, and Diligence, is always exercised in training Men to Perdition. His destructive Power cannot make immediate impressions on the Soul, but he tempts by Objects without, and the Affections within; the World and the Flesh that are in combination with him. He is accordingly stiled, the God of