Light in the way to Paradise with other occasionals / by Dvdley the 2d late Ld. North.

CHAP. XIV. Of Temperance.

AT foot of the mount of Justice, stands the house of Temperance, a frame built and situated rather for conveniency than curiosity, but wanting nothing that is usefull. The entertainment of Strangers is like to the house it self, affording nothing of excess, and yet that which is convenient in every respect. This Lady and her family lead a life most con∣tented, being not acquainted either with re∣pining for want, or with extravagant desire of attaining more than they enjoy. Their sleep is sweet, and they are not much in danger of diseases, because most sicknesses arise from distemper, and overclogging the Stomach. In

this family no good thing is forbidden, but the moderate use commanded. I find not in the ten Commandments, either Temperance literally enjoyned, or the contrary forbidden, but certainly it is greatly instrumental in the way of Religion. It preserves the faculties of the body and mind, in their full strength, as to all good duties, and therefore must be a very fit preparative for Devotion, and to such persons Mortification is of no use. As in most (if not in all) vertues there is error in defect, as well as in excess, so it is in this, though Governors find not immoderate abstinence so usual, as to provide against it, for the exhor∣tations in all professions of Religion to absti∣nence and mortification, are without limits; yet St. Paul adviseth Timothy to a moderate use of Wine in respect of his frequent infirmi∣ties, and in the art of Physick it is a maxim, That diseases coming by Inanition are less re∣coverable, than those grounded upon Reple∣tion. I cannot deny but the way of Excess is much more frequent, and it is hard to find a name bad enough for it, Brutish or Bestial coming short, since scarcely any creature is noted for it, but Doggs and Swine. Now let us compare this vertue of Temperance with some others. The Just man by doing his du∣ty, may be exposed to the malice of persons conceiving themselves injured. Fortitude may call a person to the hazard of his life; nay, require the laying down of it. Liberality and

Charity draw on some diminution of his for∣tunes, but Temperance is secure from danger, and occasioneth no damage, yet it only concerns a man's own person, whereas Justice and the rest have their influence upon others, and in that respect are to have a preference by a rule gene∣rally received, which is this, Bonum quo com∣munius eo melius, which may bear this sense, Good things the more communicative they are, the better; but now it may be time for us to prosecute our journey beyond the house of Temperance, taking notice of her two fair daughters, So∣briety and Chastity, and observing her habi∣tation to be fitly placed near to the Mount of Justice, since Temperance is a kind of Justice to a man's own body, distributing to it a due share of refection, and so preserving it in the advantages which Nature hath given.