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eath; not in any wise to carry himself either violently; or proudly but patiently to wait for it; as one of nature's operations: that with the same mind as now thou dost expect when that which yet is but an embryo in thy wife's belly shall come forth; thou mayst expect also when thy soul shall fall off from that outward coat or skin: wherein as a child in the belly it lieth involved and shut up。 But thou desirest a more popular; and though not so direct and philosophical; yet a very powerful and penetrative recipe against the fear of death; nothing can make they more willing to part with thy life; than if thou shalt consider; both what the subjects themselves are that thou shalt part with; and what manner of disposition thou shalt no more have to do with。 True it is; that。 offended with them thou must not be by no means; but take care of them; and meekly bear with them However; this thou mayst remember; that whensoever it happens that thou depart; it shall not be from men that held the same opinions that thou dost。 For that indeed; (if it were so) is the only thing that might make thee averse from death; and willing to continue here; if it were thy hap to live with men that had obtained the same belief that thou hast。 But now; what a toil it is for thee to live with men of different opinions; thou seest: so that thou hast rather occasion to say; Hasten; I thee pray; O Death; lest I also in time forget myself。 IV。 He that sinneth; sinneth unto himself。 He that is unjust; hurts himself; in that he makes himself worse than he was before。 Not he only that committeth; but he also that omitteth something; is oftentimes unjust。 V。 If my present apprehension of the object be right; and my present action charitable; and this; towards whatsoever doth proceed from God; be my present disposition; to be well pleased with it; it sufficeth。 VI。 To wipe away fancy; to use deliberation; to quench concupiscence; to keep the mind free to herself。 VII。 Of all unreasonable creatures; there is but one unreasonable soul; and of all that are reasonable; but one reasonable soul; divided betwixt them all。 As of all earthly things there is but one earth; and but one light that we see by; and but one air that we breathe in; as many as either breathe or see。 Now whatsoever partakes of some common thing; naturally affects and inclines unto that whereof it is part; being of one kind and nature with it。 Whatsoever is earthly; presseth downwards to the common earth。 Whatsoever is liquid; would flow together。 And whatsoever is airy; would be together likewise。 So that without some obstacle; and some kind of violence; they cannot well be kept asunder。 Whatsoever is fiery; doth not only by reason of the elementary fire tend upwards; but here also is so ready to join; and to burn together; that whatsoever doth want sufficient moisture to make resistance; is easily set on fire。 Whatsoever therefore is partaker of that reasonable common nature; naturally doth as much and more long after his own kind。 For by how much in its own nature it excels all other things; by so much more is it desirous to be joined and united unto that; which is of its own nature。 As for unreasonable creatures then; they had not long been; but presently begun among them swarms; and flocks; and broods of young ones; and a kind of mutual love and affection。 For though but unreasonable; yet a kind of soul these had; and therefore was that natural desire of union more strong and intense in them; as in creatures of a more excellent nature; than either in plants; or stones; or trees。 But among reasonable creatures; begun commonwealths; friendships; families; public meetings; and even in their wars; conventions; and truces。 Now among them that were yet of a more excellent nature; as the stars and planets; though by their nature far distant one from another; yet even among them began some mutual correspondency and unity。 So proper is it to excellency in a high degree to affect unity; as that even in things so far distant; it could operate unto a mutual sympathy。 But now behold; what is now come to pass。 Those creatures that are reasonable; are now the only creatures that have forgotten their natural affection and inclination of one towards another。 Among them alone of all other things that are of one kind; there is not to be found a general disposition to flow together。 But though they fly from nature; yet are they stopt in their course; and apprehended。 Do they what they can; nature doth prevail。 And so shalt thou confess; if thou dost observe it。 For sooner mayst thou find a thing earthly; where no earthly thing is; than find a man that naturally can live by himself alone。
VIII。 Man; God; the world; every one in their kind; bear some fruits。 All things have their proper time to bear。 Though by custom; the word itself is in a manner become proper unto the vine; and the like; yet is it so nevertheless; as we have said。 As for reason; that beareth both common fruit for the use of others; and peculiar; which itself doth enjoy。 Reason is of a dif…fusive nature; what itself is in itself; it begets in others; and so doth multiply。
IX。 Either teach them better if it be in thy power; or if it be not; remember that for this use; to bear with them patiently; was mildness and goodness granted unto thee。 The Gods themselves are good unto such; yea and in some things; (as in matter of health; of wealth; of honour;) are content often to further their endeavours: so good and gracious are they。 And mightest thou not be so too? or; tell me; what doth hinder thee?
X。 Labour not as one to whom it is appointed to be wretched; nor as one that either would be pitied; or admired; but let this be thine only care and desire; so always and in all things to prosecute or to forbear; as the law of charity; or mutual society doth require。 XI。 This day I did come out of all my trouble。 Nay I have cast out all my trouble; it should rather be for that which troubled thee; whatsoever it was; was not without anywhere that thou shouldest come out of it; but within in thine own opinions; from whence it must be cast out; before thou canst truly and constantly be at ease。
XII。 All those things; for matter of experience are usual and ordinary; for their continuance but for a day; and for their matter; most base and filthy。 As they were in the days of those whom we have buried; so are they now also; and no otherwise。
XIII。 The things themselves that affect us; they stand without doors; neither knowing anything themselves nor able to utter anything unto others concerning themselves。 What then is it; that passeth verdict on them? The understanding XIV。 As virtue and wickedness consist not in passion; but in action; so neither doth the true good or evil of a reasonable charitable man consist in passion; but in operation and action。
XV。 To the stone that is cast up; when it comes down it is no hurt unto it; as neither benefit; when it doth ascend。
XVI。 Sift their minds and understandings; and behold what men they be; whom thou dost stand in fear of what they shall judge of thee; what they themselves judge of themselves。
XVII。 All things that are in the world; are always in the estate of al