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

1. Pride, the Vice of Prosperity, makes them fierce and stubborn against the holy and strict Rules of the Word. We will not ¹hearken to thee, but will certainly do ⟨p. 86⟩whatsoever goes out of our own mouth. If a faithful Minister represents the inside of their foul Souls, their uncomely Passions are raised against him: if he recommends the earnest study of Holiness and Godliness, they entertain his Counsels with derision and disdain. Those to whom the dearest and most affectionate Honour is due, being spiritual Fathers and Physicians, are despised in their Persons and Office, by Fools in their Prosperity. They condemn what they do not understand, and affect not to understand what condemns them. They hear Sermons to censure, and censure that they may not be troubled by them. What hope is there of reducing haughty Scorners to the Obedience of the Gospel? Even the Miracles and Ministry of our ⟨p. 87⟩Saviour was without success upon the Pharisees, who heard and derided him. If such are convinced in their Minds, and not disarmed of their Pride and Self-will, they refuse to yield themselves to the Lord. Meekness is a requisite Qualification for receiving the Word with its saving Virtue. We are directed to lay aside all filthiness, and superfluity of naughtiness; and with meekness to receive the ingrafted Word, that is able to save our Souls. We are prepared for Divine Grace, by a serious sense of our want of it, and earnest desire to obtain it. He fills the hungry with good things, and the Rich he sends empty away. None are so insensible of their spiritual Wants, and avers from the humble acknowledgement of them, as the Prosperous Sinner; and none more unlikely to obtain spiritual Riches.

1. Pride, the Vice of Prosperity, makes them fierce and stubborn against the holy and strict Rules of the Word. We will not ¹hearken to thee, but will certainly do ⟨p. 86⟩whatsoever goes out of our own mouth. If a faithful Minister represents the inside of their foul Souls, their uncomely Passions are rais'd against him: if he recommends the earnest study of Holiness and Godliness, they entertain his Counsels with derision and disdain. Those to whom the dearest and most affectionate Honour is due, being spiritual Fathers and Physicians, are despised in their Persons and Office, by Fools in their Prosperity. They condemn what they do not understand, and affect not to understand what condemns them. They hear Sermons to censure, and censure that they may not be troubled by them. What hope is there of reducing haughty Scorners to the Obedience of the Gospel? Even the Miracles and Ministry of our