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. XXXI.

* 1.1THere are many thinges besides, that are neare vnto the diuinitie, and haue a power that approcheth neare vnto it, which are hid∣den, or happily which thou wilt more wonder at, haue filled our eyes, and fled from them, be it that their subtilitie is so great, as the apprehension of humane vnderstanding cānot reach therun∣to, or that so great a maiestie remaineth hidden in so sacred a retreat, gouerning his Kingdome, that is himselfe, without suffering any thing to approch him, but the soule of man: We cannot know, what this thing is, without which nothing is; and we wonder if some small fires are vnknowne vnto vs, wheras God which is the greatest part of the world, is not subiect to our vnderstanding? How ma∣ny liuing creatures haue we first knowne in this world? and many things like∣wise are there, that the people of succeeding age shall know, which are vn∣knowne vnto vs.* 1.2 Many things are reserued for the ages to come, when as our memorie shall bee extinguished. The world is a little thing, except all men haue somewhat to obserue in it. Those thinges that are sacred are oftentimes taught. The Eleusians alwayes reserue some noueltie, to shew vnto those that revisit them. Nature discouereth not her secrets at once: we thinke that we are exercised in them, but we are but poore Nouices. Thinges that are so hidden, are not the subiects and obiects of euery mans eyes: they are enclosed and shut vp in his most retyred sacrarie. The ages wherein wee are shall see somewhat, the succedent another part: why therefore shall these things bee brought into our knowledge. The greatest come slowly, especially when we cease to trauell after them. That which we wholly endeuour in our mindes, we haue not yet effected, which is to be most wicked: vices are but yet a learning: dissolution hath found some noueltie whereupon he may mad himselfe and doate. Impu∣dicitie hath attracted some new thing to defame her selfe: The pompe and va∣nitie of this world hath inuented I know not what, more daintie and delicate then was accustomed, to confound it selfe: Wee are not as yet sufficiently effe∣minate, but extinguish by our disguises all that which remaineth of vertue: we will out-strip women in their vanities; we that are men, attire our selues in co∣lours like Harlots, which modest Matrons would be ashamed to thinke vpon: We Bride it in our walkes, and treade vpon tip-toe; wee walke not, but slip a∣long. Our fingers are loaden with rings,* 1.3 and there is not a ioynt that hath not a precious stone: We daily inuent, I know not what, to violate and vitiate man∣hood, and to defame it, because wee cannot shake it off. One hath cut off his members, another hath retyred himselfe into the most shamefull and infamous place in the Theater, and being hired to die, is armed with infamie. The poore man likewise hath found a subiect, wherein to exercise his infirmitie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Of the weaknes of mans iudgmēt in the considera∣tion and know¦ledge of Celestiall things.
• * 1.2

  The wonders of the world are discouered from age to age.
• * 1.3

  Disorders not of Senecaes age but ou••s, wh••re∣in pride want••th no ornam••nt.