Ground of natural philosophy divided into thirteen parts : with an appendix containing five parts / written by the ... Dvchess of Newcastle.

CHAP. XV. Of the Agreeing, or Disagreeing, of the Sensitive and Rational Parts of Human Creatures.

THere is, for the most part, a general agreement between the Rational and Sensitive Parts of Human Creatures; not only in their particular, but general actions; only the Rational are the Designing-parts; and the Sensitive, the Labouring parts: As for proof, The Mind designs to go to such, or such Foreign Parts, or Places; upon which design the Sen∣sitive Parts will labour to execute the Mind's intenti∣on, so as the whole Sensitive Body labours to go to the designed place, without the Mind's further Con∣cern: for, the Mind takes no notice of every action of the Sensitive parts; neither of those of the Eyes, Ears; or of the Leggs, or feet; nor of their percep∣tions: for, many times, the Mind is busied in some Conception, Imagination, Fancy, or the like; and yet the Sensitive Parts execute the Mind's Design ex∣actly. But, for better proof, When as the Sensitive parts are sick, weak, or defective, through some ir∣regularities, the Sensitive parts cannot execute the Mind's Design: also, when the Sensitive parts are careless, they oft mistake their way; or when they are irregularly opposed, or busied about some Ap∣petite, they will not obey the Mind's desire; all which

are different degrees of Parts. But, as it is amongst the particular parts of a Society; so, many times, between several Societies; for, sometimes, the Sensi∣tive parts of two Men will take no notice of each other: As for example, When two men speak toge∣ther, one man regards not what the other says; so many times, the Sensitive parts regard not the Pro∣positions of the Rational; but then the Sensitive is not perfectly Regular.