406 what things ?ma we ufe Moderation, &c, Serm, ¡ 6, Val. rNax. 1. 9. e. Experience tells every one how fwect the fruit of moderation is, fo that felicity and it ( as the Heathen faid) conf1antly dwell together, in Families, in Nations, all the world over. Without it, this World would be a defert, barren of all comfort, and nothing but a vaft howl- ingWildernefs for Bears and Wolves, not Civil men or Chriflians to dwell in. Let therefore the neceffity ofModeration perfwade thee let its profit, and pleefure draw and allure thee to the pradlice thereof. Lattly, to thofe Motives let me add that of the Text, The Lord is at hand. For fo I look upon this, and all other arguments l'ubjoyned to exhortations and command for though they be materially reafons to convince, ye: are formally motives to perfwade and quicken us to the duties enjoyned. Flesh and blood may fay, others are infolent, and the more we are ready to bear, the more they are apt to injure us, as the Heathens to the Chriflians of old cryed, Blrffed are the poor, and fo plundered them ; Therefore Illulandum inter Igloos, we mull retaliate like for like. Oh no, faith the Apoflle, fl iú°45" ti °,t the Lord is nigh to obferve them , and how they carry in his Family, whole wifdom governs their petularcy,and whole power and good nefscan overcome all their malice and unkirdnefs; is nigh to obferve thee, and to help thee in his due timeif injured : and is nigh alfo to judge both, to pu- nifh thole that mifcarry, Matth,18. 34, 3 5. and reward thofe that herein are his children. The not believing this that the Lord !sat hand, in his Providence, and with his Judgment, is the great reafon of the want of Moderation in the World. Let us therefore all live under a continual fence of this, and all pray for, and praaice moderation. Fi- nally, be ye all of one mind having cornpafon one of another , love at brc thron, be pitiful, be courteous; not rendring evil for evil , or railing for reviling : but centrariWife bleffrng ; knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye fhould inherit a blefng. (1 Pet. 3. 8, 9.) and that the Lord is at hand, ready to bellow it upon all thole that make their moderation known unto all men.
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