Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/49

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
28
A Diſcourſe
Book I.

through the Windowes of the senses. Thus there is a kind of Communion and Society Cemented betwixt the Soul and the Body: but such a communion, as if we attend the Event, proves unfortunate to the Soul. For through this it is that the Soul, by almost insensible degrees, is led from the Nobler place of its residence, becomes addicted to and is mingled with the Senses, and from this impure mixture, is the birth of Opinion; which is no other than a vain shaddow, and resemblance of Reason. The true seat of it is Sense, the Parent, Earth; and therefore abject and base as it is, it advances not it self, it aspires not, nor so much as regards any thing that is lofty and Ætherial. It is ever vain, uncertain, deceitfull, ill-advising, and as perversly judging: and that which it chiefly aimes at, is at once to deprive the Soul of Constancy and Truth. It languishes for this thing to day, and

on