A discourse of constancy in two books chiefly containing consolations against publick evils written in Latin by Justus Lipsius, and translated into English by Nathaniel Wanley ...

CHAP. XX.

A Second proof by way of Comparison. But first the Calamities of the Bel∣gians, and of the Age heightned. That common Opinion refuted. And proved that the Nature of Man is prone to aggravate our own Affli∣ctions.

I Did not expect so serious a dis∣course from Langius and therefore interrupting him; vvhether go you said I, was this it you promised? I expected the sweet and delicious vvines of History; and you bring me such harsh and unpleasant ones, as scarce all the stores of Wisdom vvill afford their like. Suppose you that you are speaking to some Thales? 'Tis to Lip∣sius a Man; and that of the middle rank; vvho desires remedies that are somewhat more humane than these.

Langius vvith a mild countenance and tone, I acknowledge (said he) you justly blame me. For vvhile I fol∣lowed that pure ray of reason; I per∣ceive I am got out of the common Road, and unawares again fallen into the path of Wisdom. But I return now; to vvalk vvith you in a vvay that is better known; since the auste∣rity of that wine doth displease you; I shall quallify and allay it vvith the sweets of examples. I come now to comparison; and I vvill clearly shew you that in all these calamities vvhich every vvay surround us, there is no∣thing great or grievous, if you com∣pare them with those in times past, For those of old vvere greater by ma∣ny degrees, and more truly to be la∣mented. I replyed vvith a gesture that discovered something of impatience. Will you averre this said I

—and hope you to perswade Me to believe what you have said?

Never Langius so long as I am Ma∣ster of my reason; for vvhat former age (if you rightly consider it) vvas ever so calamitous as this of ours, or vvhat after one shall be? What Nation? What Country ever en∣dured,

So heavy miseries and manifold Grievous, or to be suffered, or be told?

As vve Belgians do at this day? You see vve are involved in a Warr; not in a forreign one only, but a civil; and that in the very bowels of us. For there are not only parties amongst us, but (O my Country vvhat hand shall preserve thee) a subdivision of those parties. Add to this the Pesti∣lence, add Famine, add Taxes, Rapines, Slaughters, and the height of all the Tyranny and Oppression, not of our Bodies only, but our Souls too. And in the rest of Europe vvhat is there? Either Warr or the expectation of

Warr, or if there be peace, it is con∣joyned with a base subjection to pet∣ty Rulers; and not a vvhit eligible before Warr it self. Which way so∣ever you turn your Eyes or thoughts, you vvill find all things full of suspiti∣on and suspense: And as in a house that is ill underpropt; many visible signes of an approaching ruine. To conclude Langius as there is a Gene∣ral rendezvous of all Rivers at the Ocean: So all sorts of Calamities seem to Centre in this Age. And yet I now speak only of such as are at present upon us; what are those that await us? Of vvhich I may just∣ly sing that of Euripides,

Such spacious Seas of ills I see As cannot safely passed be.

Langius looking severely upon me; do you again (said he) cast your self down vvith these complainings? I thought by this time you had stood

firme; and that your vvound had been closed: But you relapse. If ever you vvill recover, it is requisite, that there be a kind of calmness in your Mind. This Age say you is the most unhappy. It is an old com∣plaint; I know your Gransier said the same, and so likewise your Father; I know also your posterity vvill have the same complaint. Nature has ri∣vered this into the Disposition of Man; to look fixedly upon his Evils; and to shut his Eyes upon his mer∣cies. As Flyes and other Insects, do not rest long upon smooth and po∣lished places, but stick to those that are rough and soiled: So this que∣rulous Mind of ours, lightly over∣passes our better fortunes: But vvill not be vvithdrawn from its contem∣plations of that vvhich is vvorse. It handles and pryes into its evils, and for the most part shews it self vvitty, in the aggravating comments that it maks upon them. As lovers ever find some∣thing

in their mistress; for vvhich she must needs surpass all others in excel∣lency: So do those that are afflicted, vvith their miseries. Yes vve fancy to our selves vain additions, and la∣ment not only our present, but future Calamities. And vvhat is the reward of this too too inquisitive Genius of ours? No other, than as some Ar∣mies are frighted out of their Camp, by the dust that is raised afarr off: So vve are often cast down, by the false shaddow of a future danger.