Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

Reafons moving vi to contemn worldlyprofperitie. 45 glorie ofhis kingdome, or allureth vs vnto fnne; there are many arguments which may perfwade vs. As firfi, becaufe profperitie doth very feldome better our fpirituall elute, and further our faluation, but almofl alwaies maketh vs worfe,morc prone vnto finne,and further off from God and godlineffe.For as the Moone being in the full,is furthefi di- Rant from the Sunne, from whom fhe receiueth her light and brightnes ; fo when we are in the full ofprofperitie, we are furrhefi off from God the author and fountaine of all our good. But of this I hauealreadie fpoken. Secondly,let vs know that the meane eflate ismuch to be SeIf.2 . preferred before the greatefiprofperitie and abundant plen The meane e- tic ofthefe earthly things,not only for the reafons aboue al- (late is to be leaged,but alfo becaufe it is moll fafe and free from danger, preferred in fine as not being fo low to be trode vpon, nor fo high as to bee great profperity. alwaies feared in the eye ofenuie;not fo weak as to lie open to all oppreflion,nor fo mightie as to be made the marke of confpiracies and fecret treafons : for as the low fhrubs are made the pray ofthe beafls to bronze vpon,and the ordina- rie fuell of the fire, and the highefi trees are moll fubie6l to lightning and thunder, and expofed aboue all others to the violence of euery tempefi ; whereas the trees of middle growth are free from both thefe dangers : fo thofe who are in the lowefl efiateof pouertie, are often oppreffed with wrong and iniurie,thofe who are placed in the high top of worldly profperitie,are made more obnoxious to the rage offuperiour powers; being either had in ieloufe for their greatnes,as afviring too fal ,as though they would overtop them, or thought inrefpeât of their abundance a fit bootie lob rz.$. to feaze vpon. And only the meane efiate is mofi free from thefe extreame perils beingbelow enuie,& aboue cótempt. And this the very heathen man could difcerne by the light ofnature : his (faith he) theproDertie ofagreat minde,to con - Magni animi et? temne great things,and to de fire fir fciencieand mediocritie, ra_ magna eontem- ther then abundance and fuperfuttie ; for thole are profitable, cria maUe q á and risen vitall,butthefe at much as they aboundanaouerflow, nimia,dac.Se- burt. So too much ranknes maketh the corne to he and rot, fa ncc.epift.39. boughs are broken with too much bearing,and too much fuir- frtlnes,