tian, keep thy heart with all diligence ; for now it will be exceeding apt to grow "secure, proud and earthly. To see a

man humble under prosperity, is one of "the greatest rarities in the world. Even "a good Hezekiah could not hide a vain "glorious temper under his temptation, "and hence that caution to Israel, Deut. vi. 10, 11, 12. And it shall be when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the laud which he sware to thy Fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Ja"cob, to give thee great and goodly cities which thou buildedst not, and houses full of all good things which thou fill"edst not, &c. Then beware lest thou forget the Lord and indeed so it fell out, for Jesurun waxed fat and kicked, "Deut. xxxii. 15.

Now then, the first case will be this, viz.

1. Case. How a christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security under the smiles of providence, and confidence of

creature comforts.

There are seven choice helps to secure the heart from the dangerous snares of prosperity; the first is this,

1. To consider the dangerous insnaring temptation attending a pleasant and prosperous condition; few, yea, very few of these that live in the pleasures and pros

perity of this world, escape everlasting perdition, Mat. xix. 24. It is easier (saith Christ) for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. And, 2 Cor. i. 26. Not many mighty, not many noble are called. It might justly make us tremble when the scripture tells us in general, that few shall be saved, much more when it tells us, that of that rank and sort of which we are, but few shall be saved. When Joshua called all the tribes of Israel to lot upon them for the discovery of Achan, doubtless Achan feared; when the tribe of Judah was taken, his fear increased; but when the family of the Zarhites was taken, it was time then to tremble. So, when the scripture comes so near as to tell us that of such a sort of men very few shall escape, it is time to look about; I should wonder if any of the rulers be saved. Oh how many have been coached to hell in the chariots of earthly pleasures, whilst others have been whipt to heaven by the rod of affliction? How few, like the daughters of Tyre, come to Christ with a gift! How few among the rich intreat his favour!

2 It may yet keep us more humble and watchful in prosperity, if we consider that among christians many have been much

the worse for it.

How good had it been

for some of them, if they had never known prosperity! When they were in a low condition, how humble, spiritual and heavenly were they? but, when advanced, what an apparent alteration hath been upon their spirits? It was so with Israel; when they were in a low condition in the wilderness, then Israel was holiness to the Lord, Jet. i. 23. but, when they came into Canaan, and were fed in a fat pasture, then, we are lords, we will come no more unto thee, ver. 31. Outward gains are ořdinarily attended with inward losses: as, in a low condition, their civil employ ments were wont to have a táng and savour of their duties; so, in an exalted condition, their duties commonly have a tang of the world. He indeed is rich in grâce, whose graces are not hindered by his riches; there are but few Jehoshaphats in the world, of whom it is said, 2 Chron. xvii. 5, 6. He had silver and gold in abundance, and his heart was lifted up in the way of God's commands. Will not this keep thy heart humble in prosperty, to think how dear many godly men have paid for their riches, that through them they have lost that which all the world cannot purchase? Then, in the next place.

3 Keep down thy vain heart by this

consideration, that God values no man a jot the more for these things. God values no man by outward excellencies, but by inward graces; they are the internal ornaments of the spirit, which are of great price in God's eyes, 1 Pet. iii. 4. he despises all worldly glory, and respects no mans person; but in every nation, he that feareth God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted of him, Acts x. 35. Indeed, if the judgment of God went by the same rule that man's doth, we might value our selves by these thing, and stand upon them: but, as one said (when dying) I shall not appear before God as a doctor, but as a man; so much every man is, and no more, as he is in the judgment of God. Doth, thy heart yet swell? and will neither of the former considerations keep it humble?

4 Then, Fourthly, Consider how bitterly many persons have bewailed their folly when they come to die, that ever they set their hearts upon these things, and heartily wish that they had never known them. What a sad story was that of Pius Quintus, who, dying, cried out despairingly, when I was in a low condition, I had some hopes of salvation; but, when I was ad vanced to be a cardinal, I greatly doubted it; but, since I came to the Popedom, I have no hope at all. Mr. Spencer also

tells us a real, but sad story, of a rich oppressor, who had scrapt up a great estate for his only son; when he came to die, he called his son to him, and said, son, do you indeed love me? The son answered, that nature, besides his paternal indulgence obliged him to that. Then, said the father, express it by this, hold thy finger in the candle as long as I am saying a Pater Noster the son attempted, but could not endure it upon that the father brake out into these expressions, thou canst not suf fer the burning of thy finger for me, but, to get this wealth, I have hazarded my soul for thee, and must burn body and soul in hell for thy sake; thy pains would have been but for a moment, but mine will be unquenchable fire.

5 The heart may be kept humble, by considering of what a clogging nature earthly things are to a soul heartily en gaged in the way to heaven. They shut out much of heaven from us at present, though they may not shut us out of heaven at last. If thou consider thyself, under the notion of a stranger in this world, travelling for heaven, and seeking a better country, thou hast then as much reason to be taken and delighted with these things, as a weary horse hath with a heavy cloke bag. There was a serious truth in that