Thus likewise we see (to instance in that other particular branch, of diffusing the Passions upon diverse objects) how the multitude of these, if they be Hererogeneall and unsubordinate, doth oftentimes remit a Passion: for example, in Love; I take it, that that man who hath a more general Love, hath a less vehement Love; and the spreading of Affection, is the weakening of it, (I mean still in things not absolute subordinate; for, a man may love a Wife more with Children, than without them, because they are the Seals and Pledges of that Love) as a River, when it is cut into many lesser streams, runs weaker & shallower. And this, I conceive, is the reason, why Solomon, when he ⟨p. 56⟩commendeth a strong Love, giveth it but a single object▪ There is a friend nearer than a Brother; one, in whom the rays of this affection, like the Sun-beams in a glass, being more united, might withal be the more fervent. I remember not, that I ever read of wonderful 1Love amongst men, which went beyond Couples; which also Aristotle and Plutarch have observed. And therefore we see, in that state there is or should be greater affection, wherein is the least community: Conjugal Love, as it is most single, so it is usually the strongest; and in the Issues and Blessings thereof, there is scarce any more powerful Epithet to win Love, than Unigenitus, an only Sonne.
Thus likewise we see (to instance in that other particular branch, of diffusing the Passions upon diverse objects) how the multitude of these, if they be Hererogeneall and unsubordinate, doth oftentimes remit a Passion: for example, in Love; I take it, that that man who hath a more generall Love, hath a lesse vehement Love; and the spreading of Affection, is the weakening of it, (I mean still in things not absolute subordinate; for, a man may love a Wife more with Children, than without them, because they are the Seales and Pledges of that Love) as a River, when it is cut into many lesser streames, runs weaker & shallower. And this, I conceive, is the reason, why Salomon, when he ⟨p. 56⟩commendeth a strong Love, giveth it but a single object▪ There is a friend neerer than a Brother; one, in whom the rayes of this affection, like the Sun-beames in a glasse, being more united, might withall be the more servent. I remember not, that I ever read of wonderfull 1Love amongst men, which went beyond Couples; which also Aristotle and Plutarch have observed. And therefore we see, in that state there is or should be greater affection, wherein is the least communitie: Conjugall Love, as it is most single, so it is usually the strongest; and in the Issues and Blessings thereof, there is scarce any more powerfull Epithite to win Love, than Vnigenitus, an onely Sonne.
- 1[Greek or Hebrew]. P•. d• Attic. multitud. An•charsis apud Latr•. l 1.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. P•. d• A•ic. multitud. An•charsis apud Latr•. l 1.
