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THE SECOND BOOKE 169
Some difference there is, there are orders and
degrees; but all is under the visage of one same nature.
res quceque tuo ritu procedit, et omnes
Foedere natures cetto dtscrimina servant. 1
All things proceed in their course, natures all
Keepe difference, as in their league doth fall*
Man must be forced and marshalled within the lists
of this policie. Miserable man, with all his wit, cannot
in effect goe beyond it: he is embraced and engaged,
and as other creatures of his ranke arc, he is subjected
in like bondes,and without any prerogative or essentiall
re-excellencie; what ever privilege he assume unto
E
himselfe, he is of very meane condition. That which
is given by opinion or fantasie hath neither body nor
taste. And if it be so that he alone, above all other
creatures, hath this libertie of imagination and this
licence of thoughts which represent unto him both
what is and what is not, and what him pleaseth, falsehood
and truth; it is an advantage bought at a very
high rate, and whereof he hath litle reason to glorie :
for thence springs the chiefest source of all the mischiefs
that oppresse him, as sinne, sicknesse, irresolution,
trouble and despaire. But to come to my purpose,
I say therefore, there is no likelyhood, we should
imagine, the beasts doe the very same things by a
naturall inclination and forced genuitie, which we doe
of our owne freewil and industrie. Of the very same
effects we must conclude alike faculties ; and by the
richest effects infer the noblest faculties, and consequently
acknowledge that the same discourse and way
we hold in working, the very same, or perhaps some
other better, doe beasts hold. Wherefore shall we
imagine that naturall compulsion in them, that prove
no such effect our selves ? Since it is more honourable
to be addressed to act, and tyed to worke orderly, by
and through a naturall and unavoideable condition and
most approching to Divinitie, than regularly to worke
and act by and through a casuall and rash libertie ; and
¹ LUCR. 1. v. 932.