The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

3. Others sought for ease under sufferings by remembering the pleasures that were formerly enjoyed. But this inflames rather than allays the Distemper. For as things are more clearly known, so more sensibly felt by comparison; He that is tormented with the Gout, cannot relieve his misery, by remembering the pleasant Wine he drank before his fit.

3. Others sought for ease under sufferings by remembering the pleasures that were formerly enjoyed. But this inflames rather than allays the Distemper. For as things are more clearly known, so more sensibly felt by comparison; He that is tormented with the Gout, cannot relieve his misery, by remembring the pleasant Wine he drank before his fit.

4. The Stoics Universal Cure of afflictions was, to change their opinion of them, and esteem them not real evils. Thus Posidonius (so much commended by Tully) who for many years was under torturing Diseases and survived a continual Death; being visited by Pompey at Rhodes, he entertained him with a Philosophical Discourse, and when his pains were most acute, he said, Nihil agis dolor, quanquam sis molestus, nunquam te• esse confitebor malum: In vain dost ⟨p. 354⟩thou assault me pain; though thou art troublesome, thou shalt never force me to confess thou art evil. But the folly of this boasting is visible: for though he might appear with a cheerful countenance in the Paroxysm of his Disease to commend his Philosophy, like a Mountebank that swallows poison to put off his Drugs, yet the reality of his grief was evident: his Sense was overcome, though his Tongue remained a Stoic. If words could charm the Sense not to feel pains, or compose the mind not to resent afflictions, 'twere material to give mollifying Titles to them. But since 'tis not Fancy that makes them stinging, but their contrariety to Nature, 'tis no relief to represent them otherwise than they are.

4. The Stoicks Universal Cure of afflictions was, to change their opinion of them, and esteem them not real evils. Thus Posidonius (so much commended by Tully) who for many years was under torturing Diseases and survived a contiunal Death; being visited by Pompey at Rhodes, he entertained him with a Philosophical Discourse, and when his pains were most acute, he said, Nihil agis dolor, quanquam sis molestus, nunquam te esse confitebor malum: In vain dost