The workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca, both morrall and naturall Containing, 1. His bookes of benefites. 2. His epistles. 3. His booke of prouidence. 4. Three bookes of anger. 5. Two bookes of clemencie. 6. His booke of a blessed life. 7. His booke of the tranquilitie of the minde. 8. His booke of the constancie of a wiseman. 9. His booke of the shortnesse of life. 10. Two bookes of consolation to Martia. 11. Three bookes of consolation to Heluia. 12. His booke of consolation to Polibius. 13. His seuen bookes of naturall questions. Translated by Tho. Lodge, D. in Physicke.

CHAP. XXXIX.

CAECINNA saith,* 1.1 that there are three sorts of lightning, the one of counsell, the other of authority, the third of estate. The first precedeth the act, and commeth after the thought; that is, when the flash of lightning counselleth or discoue∣reth that which the thought deuiseth: The second, when as a lightning commeth after a thing is executed, to signifie that eyther good or euill fortune shall succeed, The third, when as lightning happeneth, when men are at rest, without thinking or doing any thing. This sort of lightning menasseth, or promiseth, or admonisheth, by reason whereof Caecinna nameth it momentary: but I know not why it should not be the same with that of coun∣sell•• for hee that admonisheth giueth counsell, yet hath it some distinction, and therefore is it separated from that of counsell, because this first perswa∣deth and disswadeth, but the third containeth but a simple aduice, to flie an im∣minent perill; as when wee feare that our neighbours will decei••e vs, or set fire on our houses, or that our slaues conspire against vs. Besides this I see an other distinction: The first concerneth him that thinketh, the other, him that thinketh nothing. Euery thing hath his property, wee counsell those that deliberate, wee admonish those that bethinke not themselues.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Diuers sorts of lightnings in regard of their significations, ac∣cording to the Tuscans and Stoiques.