A10663:110
A treatise of the passions and faculties of the soul of man With the…A treatise of the passions and faculties of the soule of man With the…
A treatise of the passions and faculties of the soul of man With the several dignities and corruptions thereunto belonging. By Edward Reynolds, late preacher to the honourable society of Lincoln's Inn: and now rector of the Church of Braunston in Northamptonshire.A treatise of the passions and faculties of the soule of man With the severall dignities and corruptions thereunto belonging. By Edvvard Reynoldes, late preacher to the honorable society of Lincoln's Inne: and now rector of the Church of Braunston in Northamptonshire.
London: printed by R. Hearne and John Norton for Robert Bostock, 1640
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For, although there be in the Will over the Body an Imperium; yet in rigour, this is not so much to be termed Command, as Employment; the Body being rather the Instrument, than the Servant of ⟨p. 48⟩the Soul, and the power which the Will hath over it, is not so much the command of a Master over his Workmen, as of the Workman over his Tools: The chief subjects to the Will, are the Affections, in the right governing whereof, is manifested its greatest power.
For, although there be in the Will over the Body an Imperium; yet in rigour, this is not so much to be tearmed Command, as Imployment; the Body being rather the Instrument, than the Servant of ⟨p. 48⟩the Soule, and the power which the Will hath over it, is not so much the command of a Master over his Workmen, as of the Workman over his Tooles: The chiefe subjects to the Will, are the Affections, in the right governing whereof, is manifested its greatest power.
The strength of every thing, is exercised by Opposition: We see not the violence of a River, till it meet with a Bridge; and the force of the Wind showeth it self most, when it is most resisted: So the power of the Will is most seen, in repairing the breaches, and settling the mutinies, wherewith untamed Affections disquiet the peace of mans nature; since excess and disorder in things otherwise of so great use, requireth amendment, not extirpation; and we make straight a crooked thing, we do not break it. And therefore, as he in Tacitus spake well to Otho, when he was about1 to kill himself, Major animo t•lerari adversaquam relinqui; That it was more valour to bear, than put off afflictions with courage: so there is more honour, in the having Affections subdued, than in having none at all; the business of a wise man, is not to be without them, but to be above them. And therefore our