Proteus redivivus, or, The art of wheedling or insinuation obtain'd by general conversation and extracted from the several humours, inclinations, and passions of both sexes, respecting their several ages, and suiting each profession or occupation / collected and methodized by the author of the first part of the English rogue.

OF DESPAIR.

MAny are the advantages which men make of Hope, buoying it up in others, for their own particular advantage: but as to the con∣trary Passion, Despair, I know not what use the Wheedle can make of it, unless it be to per∣swade some of his Rich Relations to hang them∣selves, as a Father or an elder Brother, or a perverse peevish wife, whom he would have to quit the stage of the world, that another (whom he hath already unlawfully chosen) may act her part with him in her stead.

But now if we rightly consider the nature of Despair, we shall find it doth as well prompt us to consult our preservation, as precipitate us into destruction; Let others, when threatned with some great disaster, or involved amongst a thousand intollerable Evils, lay violent hands on themselves, this VVheedle will make ano∣ther use of this Passion; for he prudently observes that as this Passion takes men off from the pur∣suit of a difficult good which surpasseth their power, so are there a thousand occasions met withal in mans life, wherein she may be advan∣tagiously made use of, and there is no condition how great so ever in this world, which needs not her asistance. For mens powers are limitted,

and the Greater part of their designs are very difficult, or impossible; Hope and Audacity which animate them, have more of heat than govern∣ment; Led on by these blind Guides they would throw themselves headlong into precipices, did not Despair withhold them, and by know∣ing their weaknesses, divert them from their rash enterprizes: Hope engageth us too easily in a danger, but then we must praise Despair which finds a means to free us from it.

Our Wheedle always implores the assistance of Despair before things are gone too far, and re∣duced to an extremity. If Princes took this course, and so measure their forces before they under∣take a war, they would not be enforced to make a dishonourable peace. If they know their forces inferiour to those of their enemies, where∣by the advantage lyes not on their side, Despair, wisely managed, causeth them to retreat, and this Passion repairing the faults of Hope and Audacity makes them keep their Soldiers till a∣nother time, when they may assuredly promise themselves the Victory; for Despair is more cautious than couragious, and aims more at the safety than glory of a Nation.

In short, these are the two Principal uses are to be made of this Passion. First, Despair in its birth is fearful, and hath no other design than to divert the Soul from the vain seeking

after an impossible good; this is a great piece of prudence and policy, to keep aloof from a difficult good, which we think we cannot com∣pass. Secondly, and lastly, when the mischief is extream, and the danger is so great as it can∣not be evaded, then must we make a Virtue of necessity, and give battail to an enemy, which Hope it self durst not assail, it often plucks the Lawrel from the Conquerours head, and per∣forms actions which may pass for Miracles.