296 ____________T_.h_e__P_R_E__ E_A__ C___E_.______ -=-- Perfe&ion of Good, not the Allays of Bllil. Tbe Beajls are only capable- of feno foal Pleafores, tbe Remedies of.natural Bllils, Hunger, _Thirfl, Wearine{s, or acczdental Bllils, DifeaJes and Pams: And many are {o {ottijhly deceiwd, as to prefer brutijh Pleafures that affi[i the Senjes, before angelica/ Joy that arife from the fruition of God's Fallour, and Obedience t• his..J-aws. This is a fad Symptom of an unrenewed Heart, and an hea1Jy .Prefage of j,Uture Mi{ery; for God will not be our ewrlafling Joy in Hea'tlen, if he.be not oqr exceeding Joy upon the Earth. Others [urrounded with Ricbes and Honours, are neither thankful to their Di'tline Benefaaor, nor careful to emplof their Profperity and Power for his Glory. The Law of Mercy requires a Jolemn affi[iionate recognitio11 of God's Benefits: but the Current of Profpericy drowns their Jenje { the Dilline Gocdnefs : and incoy,itant praaical Atheifm, is as dejlru8i1Je as Abjolute and Speculati1Je. And how many by the deceitfulnefs of Riches, are apt to imagine, that they poffefs witb Dominion wlmt they recei1Je in trufl : they might be rich in good Works, and if their Hearts were according to their Abzlity, be fruitful as Paradifo, but are as barren ns -the Sands of Africa. They are in a mighty Debt for Jo many recei1Jed BlefFngs, for which tbeir Account will be hea1Jy andundoing with thehighejl Lord. Thefe ••d md1~ other Confiderations, ma~e it e1Jident bow dangerous l'rofperity is to the mojl that enJOY it here. , 'Tis therefore a Point of /1igh and holy Wifdom how to manage Profperity fo,, as to a"Void the impendent Bllils that ufually follow it, and to improw it for our eternal Ad1Jantage. Thzs is tbe Defign of tpe prejent Treatije, and humbly recommended to tbe ~i1Jine BleJFng, fro"! ~~'. !v.ko mojl u~feign~dly defires the. Sal1Jation of Me~s Souls: - ( William Bates.' THE
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