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

1. 'Tis a voluntary chosen Folly. Thus the Divine Wisdom with passion reproaches wretched¹ Sinners, How long ye simple Ones, will ye love simplicity? This heightens their Character to love so obstinately, what is so unlovely and unbecoming the reasonable Nature. The Light of Reason and Revelation discovers the Vanity of the World: 'tis not for want of Evidence, but for want of using the Light, that Men do not discern their wretched mistake. God complains in the Prophet, My People doth not consider. ⟨p. 136⟩²The means of restoring Men to a sound Mind, is by due consideration. The Soul retires from the World, and makes a solemn enquiry; For what End am I created? for what do I consume my Time? If my Endeavours are all for the Earth, what remains for Heaven? what do I prepare, what shall attend me, what shall I meet in the next State? How long will it be before I must leave this visible World, and after the irrevocable step into the next, immediately appear before the enlightened Tribunal of God, whose Judgment is so strict, that the Righteous are scarcely saved, and so heavy, that the strongest Sinners cannot endure? Can the World prevent my doom to Hell, or release me from it? Will the remembrance of the Enjoyments ⟨p. 137⟩here, afford any refreshment in Everlasting Burnings? By such sad and frequent Soliloquies, the vicious sensual Affections are eradicated, and the Heart is transplanted from Earth to Heaven. If Men would wisely ponder things, if Conscience, the sincere and unsuspected Judg did hold the Balance, and put into one Scale the Glory, the Riches, and Pleasures of this World; and into the other, the Promises that belong to Godliness here, and hereafter, how despicably light will they be found? 'Twas truly said, that false Scarlet appears with lustre, till compared with the Rich and True; so the fictitious Felicity of this World is very specious, and ravishes the Minds of Men, till compared with Celestial Felicity. Worldly Honour ⟨p. 138⟩is counterfeit, because 'tis no certain Argument of inherent worth: Vain-glory and real Infamy, often meet in the same Person: yet 'tis admired, and ambitiously sought, till compared with the Honour of the Saints.