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

There are such frequent Examples of this in every Age, that to insist upon many particular Instances, were to tell great numbers ⟨p. 116⟩of the dead to prove that Men are mortal. The Young Man that so earnestly adderest himself to Christ for his direction how to obtain Eternal Life, when commanded to give all his Estate to the Poor, and to follow Christ: he would not gain at so dear a rate Celestial Treasures, but went away sorrowful. Whereupon our Saviour declares with solemnity to his Disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich Man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. We read of two Tribes of the Israelites, that chose their Inheritance on this side Jordan, and would not have a share in the Land of Canaan: thus the earthly-minded prefer the present World, the Object of their choice and love, before the heavenly Canaan. The Ecclesiastical Historian¹ ⟨p. 117⟩relates, that in the time of Persecution by Decius, the rich Men among the Christians, were most easily and miserably foiled: the love of the World was a dangerous earnest in their Hearts, of their revolting back to Pagan Idolatry, and the Bondage of Satan. And in the time of the Arian Persecution, how many who by their Titles and Office were specially obliged to be valiant for the Truth, and to contend earnestly for the Faith; yet did accommodate their Profession to their aspiring Ambition and greedy▪ Avarice? The Standard of their Religion was the pitch of the State: they had a politic Faith, and appeared either Orthodox or Arian, as the public Favour shined upon Truth or Heresy. They robbed our Saviour of the Honour of his ⟨p. 118⟩Deity (O astonishment!) rather than part with their beloved Dignities and Riches▪ So powerful are humane Respects in those who mind earthly things. Great force is requisite to pluck up a Tree that has its Roots spread and deeply fastened in the Earth; and it cannot be so entirely separated, but that part of the Roots will be broken: thus when the Affections are deeply set in the World, and by Pleasures and Riches fastened to it, how hardly is it rent from it! every Fibre of the Heart is broken with sorrow. As Lot's Wife, when by an Angel forced out of Sodom, yet cast a lingering affectionate look after it, and was turned into a Pillar of Salt. The Separation is as bitter as the Possession is sweet: