Four useful discourses viz. ... /Four usefull discourses viz. ... /

Fourthly, It argues a great deal of strength of grace, for a man that is full, and knows how to be full, and to improve it. It argues not only grace, but strength of grace: as it argues a great deal of strength in mens bodies, that they can drink a great deal of Wine, and not be drunk. Some think that they may take liberty to themselves to drink Wine, so they do not stagger in the streets. But you know the Scripture saith, Woe to those that are strong to drink Wine. It's a speech of Seneca, That moderation is a sign of a strong breast. Moderation in the midst of prosperity, is a sign of a strong heart. It's a sign God hath given thee strength of grace, if thy conscience can witness this to thee, Well, Through Gods mercy, though I have many weaknesses, and fail in all that I do, yet I can say, to the praise of God, that my estate hath not estranged my heart from God; but my heart doth cleave to God, and I have communion with God in the Creatures that God sends me. And when God doth give me the best Voyages, I find my heart in the best temper, and I have more sweet communion with God then than at other times. Can you say so? I appeal to your consciences now, whether you can say, as in the presence of God, I never found my heart in a more heavenly spiritual temper, than when I have found God blessing me in my labours; and I have enjoyed God in them. O now, if thou canst say so, be of good comfort; thou hast learned a lesson that is a thousand times worth more than all thy prosperity. This is thine excellency, not that thou hast a fuller estate than others, but that God hath taught thee such a lesson as this is.

Fourthly, It argues a great deal of strength of grace, for a man that is full, and knows how to be full, and to improve it. It argues not onely grace, but strength of grace: as it argues a great deal of strength in mens bodies, that they can drink a great deal of Wine, and not be drunk. Some think that they may take liberty to themselves to drink Wine, so they do not stagger in the streets. But you know the Scripture saith, Wo to those that are strong to drink Wine. It's a speech of Seneca, That moderation is a sign of a strong breast. Moderation in the midst of prosperity, is a sign of a strong heart. It's a sign God hath given thee strength of grace, if thy conscience can witness this to thee, Well, Through Gods mercy, though I have many weaknesses, and fail in all that I do, yet I can say, to the praise of God, that my estate hath not estranged my heart from God; but my heart doth cleave to God, and I have communion with God in the Creatures that God sonds me. And when God doth give me the best Voyages, I find my heart in the best temper, and I have more sweet communion with God then than at other times. Can you say so? I appeal to your consciences now, whether you can say, as in the presence of God, I never found my heart in a more heavenly spiritual temper, than when I have found God blessing me in my labors; and I have enjoyed God in them. O now, if thou canst say so, be of good comfort; thou hast learned a lesson that is a thousand times worth more than all thy prosperity. This is thine excellency, not that thou hast a fuller estate than others, but that God hath taught thee such a lesson as this is.