Useful instructions for a professing people in times of great security and degeneracy

Reas. 2. Because their present prosperity so takes up their senses, that they despise God, no wonder then if they scoff at his Threatenings. Pharaoh sitting in the Pomp and Glory of the Crown of Egypt, demands, Who is the Lord? Natural men are ready to say (in times of prosperity) with Niobe, Major sum quam cui passit fortuna nocers. I am greater then the hand of Providence can reach to do any injury to, and hence beat a Challenge to the Almighty, Job. 21. 13. 14.

Reas. 2. Because their present prosperity so takes up their senses, that they despise God, no wonder then if they scoff at his Threatnings. Pharaoh sitting in the Pomp and Glory of the Crown of Egypt, demands, Who is the Lord? Natural men are ready to say (in times of prosperity) with Niobe, Major sum quam cui passit fortuna nocers. I am greater then the hand of Providence can reach to do any injury to, and hence beat a Challenge to the Almighty, Job. 21. 13. 14.

Use 1. See here a Reason why Gods Messenger are so slighted by a secure and prospering people: when they speak of days of wrath, men do not believe them, their Preaching is accounted as false tales & vain stories why, men live at case, and therefore they are accounted ⟨p. 52⟩fools that speak of a storm, and are made a May-game […] here of the Prophet: and no wonder, for they do so by God himself; I spake to thee in thy prosperity, and thou wouldest not hear. Men are short sighted, though they can discern the signs of […] yet they are not willing to see any thing of the signs of Divine Displeasure, and if they see nothing, they will believe nothing, yea though they do see they are not willing to believe.

Use 1. See here a Reason why Gods Messenger are so slighted by a secure and prospering people: when they speak of dayes of wrath, men do not believe them, their Preaching is accounted as false tales & vain stories why, men liv at case, and therefore they are accounted