Serm.. 16. 2. Relatively, or in relation to others for external peace, wherein we muff exercife it in civil and in Religious matters. The former I (hall call Moderation towards things, the latter towards perforìs. I. Moderation towards things. i.Firi then forModeration towards things,as it is abfolutely taken in reference to our felves : this being fo clearly injoyned in the Test ,- as appears not only by the word emixk¡cz, but the duty ybwki+'7D The Apoflle not faytng, ufe Moderation tone Ards all men, but let it appear to all men, which even that which is internal doth in our external con - verfation. But though there be abundance of excellent fruit on this branch of Moderation, yet in regard I conceive that towards perfons principally intended, I will not ftand to (hake it down,but only point you out briefly the boughs, on which it efpecially grows,that you may gother it your felves, and proceed to the fecond, Mcderation towards others, which I (hall only profecute afterwards in all the following dif- courfe. Now the good thing! of this life being either internal, of the mind as parts, learning, &c. of the body, as health, firength, beau.. ty and the like ; or external, as the riches, honours, relations, and lawful pleafures of the World, and what comprehended under them : And the evils of this life, fuch as are contrary to thefe, as fhallownefs of parts natural or acquired, ficknefs, weaknefs , death, deformity, poverty, lolles of friends or citate, infamy, reproaches, troubles, wars , hunger tliìrft, nakednefs , imprifonmenr, captivity, banifh. nient, and fuck like : we are towards thefe to exercife Modera- tion. _ . Towards the good things of this life.] t . We muff moderate our 7udg- rstents in the valuation of them. As forbidden fruit mull not be looked upon, fo lawful mull not be judged by us more defirable than it is. As we may not undervalue thefe good things, and with the Stoick defpife and call them away ; fo we mull not over -value them, beyond their in- trinfick worth and the ends for which God allows them the end and ufe being the meafure of every things eflimation. For though every creature be good in it felf, and force better in themfelves and to us than others : yet chofe that are the bell, and bell for us that the World affords,.are fä11 but creatures who are moli of them ferviceable only to our bodies, that they may be ferviceable to our Souls, in the fervice of our Heavenly Father : which when we too much eflimate,we ,omit` ly fall to admire, and fo bow down to them,and commit idolatry with them. For an overvaluation of the Judgement , begets'in us admira Lion, and fo an over - valuation 9f them alt.() in Qur affe &ions. Thefe Coe Z fenf five Ana in what not ? 3M
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