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

Besides, his malice in pleasant Temptations is less discernible; and consequently Men do not by Circumspection, and Prayer for Divine Grace, preserve themselves from the mischief of them. If we are fiercely assaulted by unnatural Temptations that cause extraordinary Agonies of Spirit, we seek for supernatural Assistance, and fortify our selves with holy Resolutions against the open Enemy. But by the pleasures of Sin, he insinuates into Mens Hearts, and feeds the deadly Disease so gratefully, that they discover ⟨p. 45⟩not their danger till past recovery. Therefore he destroys more by his Serpentine Suggestions, by winning Charms, than by fiery Rage. Indeed he is never more a Devil, than when he deceives; and we are divinely warned of his Guile, Devices, and Wiles, that we may not be surprised and ruined by our invisible Adversary.

Besides, his malice in pleasant Temptations is less discernible; and consequently Men do not by Circumspection, and Prayer for Divine Grace, preserve themselves from the mischief of them. If we are fiercely assaulted by unnatural Temptations that cause extraordinary Agonies of Spirit, we seek for supernatural Assistance, and fortify our selves with holy Resolutions against the open Enemy. But by the pleasures of Sin, he insinuates into Mens Hearts, and feeds the deadly Disease so gratefully, that they discover ⟨p. 45⟩not their danger till past recovery. Therefore he destroys more by his Serpentine Suggestions, by winning Charms, than by fiery Rage. Indeed he is never more a Devil, than when he deceives; and we are divinely warn'd of his Guile, Devices, and Wiles, that we may not be surpris'd and ruin'd by our invisible Adversary.

2. Plentiful Prosperity affords variety of Temptations, which he makes use of to prevent the satiety and dislike that the same repeated Temptations would cause. Since Man was divided from God, the true Centre of the Soul, he breaks into a thousand irregular Desires; and in the Apostle's phrase, serves divers Lusts and Pleasures: and the Vanities of the World do rather cloy than satisfy; that which brings transporting