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V. Of Adversity. (Book 5)
IT was an high Speech of Seneca, (after the manner of the Stoicks) That the good things which belong to prosperi∣ty are to be wished, but the good things that belong to adver∣sity are to he admired: Bona rerum secundarum optabilia, ad∣versarum mirabilia. Certainly, if Miracles be the com∣mand over Nature, they appear most in Adversity. It is yet a higher Speech of his, than the other, (much too high for a Heathen) It is true greatness to have in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the frailty of a Man, and the security of a God; Vere mag••••m ha∣bere fragilitatem hominis, securitatem Dei. This wou•••• have done better in Poesie, where transcendencies 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more allowed. And the Poets indeed have been busie with it; for it is in effect the thing, which is figured in that strange Fiction of the ancient Poets, which seemeth not to be without mystery; nay, and to have some ap∣proach to the State of a Christian: That Hercules, when he went to unbind Prometheus) by whom Humane Nature is represented) sailed the length of the great Ocean in an Ear∣then Pot or Pitcher; Lively describing Christian resolution, that saileth in the frail Bark of the Flesh, through the waves of the World. But to speak in a mean: The Vertue of Prosperity is Temperance, the Vertue of Adver∣sity is Fortitude, which in Morals is the more heroical Vertue. Prosperity is the Blessing of the Old Testament, Adversity is the Blessing of the New, which carrieth the greater Benediction, and the clearer Revelation of God's favour. Yet even in the Old Testament, if you listen to David's Harp, you shall hear as many Hearse-like Airs, as Carols. And the Pencil of the Holy Ghost hath laboured more in describing the Afflictions of Job, than the Felicities of Solomon. Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and Adversity is not without comforts and hopes. We see in Needle-works and Em∣broyderies,