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

and mercenary Wretches, by the most vile flattery, endeavour to make them believe of themselves, what is pleasing ⟨p. 56⟩to them to believe. Such to ingratiate, will commend the mere shadows of Virtue, as substantial Virtue; and excuse real gross Vices, as but the shadows of Vice. By deceitful Arts they colour and conceal the native ugliness of Sin, under a thin appearance and name of ^*Virtue. The arrogant and revengeful, they call generous; the covetous, frugal; the lascivious, gentile; the prodigal, magnificent; the malicious, wary and cautious; the brutish and secure, courageous. The Conversation of such is infinitely dangerous and corrupting: for under the disguise of Friendship they are the most deadly Enemies. What greater danger of being poisoned can there be, than when by Art the taste of Poison is taken away from the Poison, and there is ⟨p. 57⟩no suspicion of the Traitor that gives it? Thus 'tis further evident, that Prosperity is very dangerous to the Souls of Men.

and mercenary Wretches, by the most vile flattery, endeavour to make them believe of themselves, what is pleasing ⟨p. 56⟩to them to believe. Such to ingratiate, will commend the mere shadows of Vertue, as substantial Vertue; and excuse real gross Vices, as but the shadows of Vice. By deceitful Arts they colour and conceal the native ugliness of Sin, under a thin appearance and name of ^*Vertue. The arrogant and revengeful, they call generous; the covetous, frugal; the lascivious, gentile; the prodigal, magnificent; the malicious, wary and cautious; the brutish and secure, couragious. The Conversation of such is infinitely dangerous and corrupting: for under the disguise of Friendship they are the most deadly Enemies. What greater danger of being poison'd can there be, than when by Art the taste of Poison is taken away from the Poison, and there is ⟨p. 57⟩no suspicion of the Traitor that gives it? Thus 'tis further evident, that Prosperity is very dangerous to the Souls of Men.