(1.) The burden of care, therefore Christ calls riches, " cares," Luke viii. 14. A rose hath its prickles, so have riches ; we think them happy that floui'ish in their silks and cloth of gold, but we see not the troubles and cares that attend them. A shoe may have silver lace on it, yet pinch the foot. Many a man that goes to his day-labour, lives a more contented life than he that hath his thousands per annum. Disquieting care is the malus gen'ms, the evil spirit, that haunts the rich man ; when his chests are full of gold, his heart is full of care how to increase, or how to secure what he hath gotten ; he is sometimes full of care whom he shall leave it to. A large estate, like a long trailing garment, is oft more trouble- some than useful.
(2.) In a prosperous estate there is the burden of account. Such as are in high places have a far greater account to give to God than others, Luke xii. 48., Uuto whom- soever much is given, of him much shall be required. The more goldcti talents any are entrusted with, the more they have to answer for ; the more their revenues, the more their reckonings. God Mill say, " I gave you a great estate, what have you done with it ? how have you employed it for my glory ? I have read of Philip king of Spain, when he was to die, he said, " O ,
that I had never been a king ! O that I had lived a private solitary life ! Here is all the fruit of my kingdom, it hath made mv ac- counts heavier." So then, may not this quiet our hearts in a low adverse condition, and make us say, " Lord, thy will be done ?* as thou hast given me a less portion o worldly things, so I have a less burden of care, and a less burden of account.
(3.) A prosperous condition hath plm periculi, more danger in it. Such as are on the top of the pinnacle of honour, are in more danger of falling, they are subject to many temptations; their table is oft a snare. Heliogabalus made ponds of sweet water to bathe in ; millions are drowned in the sweet waters of pleasure. A great sail overturns the vessel ; how many, by hav- ing too great sails of prosperity, have had their souls overturned ? It must be a strong head that bears heady wine ; he had need have much wisdom and grace that knows how to bear an high condition. It is hard to carry a full cup without spilling, and a full estate without sinning. Agur feared, if he were full, he should deny God and say, " Who is the Lord?" Pro v. xxx. 9., Prosperity breeds, 1. Pride : the children of Korah were in an higher estate than the rest of the Levites, they were employed in the Tabernacle about the most holy things of all. Numb. iv. 4. They had the first lot, Josh. xxi. 10. But as they were lifted up above others of the Levites in honour, so in pride. Numb. xvi. 3. In the Thames, when the tide riseth higher, the boat riseth higher : so, when the tide of an estate ris- eth higher, many men's hearts rise higher in pride. 2. Prosperity breeds security. Samson fell asleep in Delilah's lap, so do men in the lap of ease and plenty : the world's golden sands are quick sands. How hard is it for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven ! Luke xviii. 24. The consideration of this should make us sub- mit to God in adversity, and say, " thy will be done." God sees what is best for us ; if we have less estate, we are in less danger ; if we want the honours of others, so we want their temptations.
'[2th. Consideration, the having of our wills melted into God's, is a good sign that the present affliction is sanctified : then an
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affliction is sanctified, when it attains the end for which it was sent. The end wl)y God sends affliction, is to calm the spirit, to subdue the will, and bring it to God's v/ill ; when this is done, affliction hath at- tained the end for which it came, — it is sanctified, and it will not be long ere it be removed. When the sore is healed, the smarting plaster is taken off.
13tA. Consideration, how unworthy it is of a Christian to be fro ward and unsubmis- sive, and not bring his will to God's.
(1.) It is below the spirit of a Christian. The spirit of a Christian is dove-like, 'tis meek and sedate, willing to be at God's dis- posal ; " Not my will, but thy will be done," Luke xxii. 42. A Christian spirit is not fretful, but humble ; not craving but con- tented. See the picture of a Christian spi- rit in St. Paul, Phil. iv. 12., " I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound." Paul could be either higher or lower, as God saw good ; he could sail with any wind of providence, either a prosperous or bois- terous gale, his will was melted into God's will ; now to be of a cross spirit that can- not submit to God, is unworthy of the spi- rit of a Christian, — it is like the bird, that, because he is pent up in the cage, and can- not fly in the open air, beats himself against the cage.