A10663:383
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.
Only here we must distinguish both of contentment and of Desires. There may be a double Contentment, the one arising out of sluggishness and narrowness of mind; when men out of an unwillingness to put themselves to the pains of gaining more, rest satisfied with what they have, and had rather have a poor quiet, than a Treasure with labour. As they say of the Fig-tree, though it be least beautiful of other Trees (for it alone beareth no flowers) yet withal it is free from Thunder. And as the Historian said of some men that they are solà socordià Innocents. 1do men no hurt only because it would cost them pains to do it: so may we of these, that they are beholding to their torpid and sluggish constitution, for the contentment which they profess to have. And this doth not regulate inordinate desires, but only lay them asleep, as even an hungry man when he sleepeth, hath his hunger sleep with him.
Onely here wee must distinguish both of contentment and of Desires. There may bee a double Contentment, the one arising out of sluggishnesse and narrownesse of minde; when men out of an unwillingnesse to put themselves to the paines of gaining more, rest satisfied with what they have, and had rather have a poore quiet, than a Treasure with labour. As they say of the Fig-tree, though it be least beautifull of other Trees (for it alone beareth no flowers) yet withall it is free from Thunder. And as the Historian said of some men that they are solà socordià Innocentes. 1doe men no hurt only because it would cost them paines to doe it: so may wee of these, that they are beholding to their torpid and sluggish constitution, for the contentment which they professe to have. And this doth not regulate inordinate desires, but onely lay them asleepe, as even an hungry man when he sleepeth, hath his hunger sleepe with him.
- 1Tacit.
Another contentment there is arising out of