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CHAP. II.
THe question is whether a benefit may be taken away. Some de∣nie that it may, for a benefit is nothing but an action, euen as the gife is one thing, and the giuing another, and he that saileth one thing, and the Nauigation it selfe another thing. And although the sicke man be not without sicknesse, yet is not he that is sicke and the sicknesse it selfe all one: so the benefit it selfe is one thing, but that which commeth to each one of vs by the benefit, is another thing. A benefit is a thing incorporeall, which cannot be frustrated, the matter thereof is tossed hither and thither, and changeth his master. When therefore thou takest the same away, Nature it self cannot vndoe those things she hath done. She stoppeth the course of her benefits, but cutteth them not off. He that dieth, yet hath liued, & he that hath lost his sight, hath formerly seene. It may be brought to passe, that those things that are come to vs may not be, but that they may not haue bin, it is im∣possible; but the part of the benefit, and the most certaine is that which was. Somtimes we hinder the vse and long possession of a benefit; the benefit it selfe cannot be r••zed out. Though nature summon al her forces to this end, yet hath shee no power ouer that which is past. Thou mayest take away the house thou gauest me, the money thou lendest me, the slaue I bought, and whatsoeuer else, wherein the name of a benefit consisteth, but the benefit it selfe is stable and im∣mutable, no force can effect this, that the one hath not giuen, and the other hath not receiued.