CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

5. Success and prosperity in the way of our sins; When we offend God,¹ and get all that our hearts can desire, this makes a man like the fatted Ox to go leaping to the Stall, even to hell, Psal▪ 73.6. When David had complained of the prosperity of the wicked, they offended God as they pleased, and yet had as much outward happiness as if they were the only persons that pleased God; He saith therefore, Pride compasseth them about as a Chain, and Violence covereth them as a garment, They were full of violence and bold presumption, like the Unjust Steward, neither fearing God nor man, and this boldness in sin was from outward prosperity: Hence the heart of such sinners is Isa. 6. called a fat heart, from Cattle that do grow fat in Fruitful Pastures; But above all places there is one more remarkable, Eccles. 8.11. Because Sentence is not speedily executed against the sinner, Therefore the heart of the Sons of men is fully set in them to do evil; Fully set, There is nothing can divert them, they are resolved, come hell, and come devils, they will have their way.

5. Successe and prosperity in the way of our sinnes; When we offend God,¹ and get all that our hearts can desire, this makes a man like the fatted Oxe to go leaping to the Stall, even to hell, Psal▪ 73.6. When David had complained of the prosperity of the wicked, they offended God as they pleased, and yet had as much outward happinesse as if they were the onely persons that pleased God; He saith therefore, Pride compasseth them about as a Chain, and Violence covereth them as a garment, They were full of violence and bold presumption, like the Unjust Steward, neither fearing God nor man, and this boldnesse in sin was from outward prosperity: Hence the heart of such sinners is Isa. 6. called a fat heart, from Cattell that doe grow fat in Fruitfull Pastures; But above all places there is one more remarkable,