Sect. XXI.
VUlgar Love is only in Souls immerst in Matter, and over∣come by it, or at least hindred by perturbations and passi∣ons. Angelick Love is in the Intellect, eternall as it. Yet but
The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.
About this Item
- Title
- The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.
- Author
- Stanley, Thomas, 1625-1678.
- Publication
- London :: Printed for Humphrey Moseley and Thomas Dring :
- 1656.
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- Subject terms
- Philosophy, Ancient -- Early works to 1800.
- Philosophy -- History.
- Link to this Item
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A61287.0001.001
- Cite this Item
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"The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A61287.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 17, 2024.
Pages
Page 108
inferr'd, the greater part turning from the Intellect to sensible things, and corporeall cares. But so perfect are these Celestiall Souls, that they can discharge both Functions, rule the Body; yet not be taken off from Contemplation of Superiours: These the Poets signifie by Ianus with two faces, one looking forward upon Sensible things, the other on intelligible: lesse perfect Souls have but one face, and when they turn that to the Body, cannot see the Intellect, being depriv'd of their contemplation; when to the Intellect, cannot see the Body, neglecting the Care thereof. Hence those Souls that must forsake the Intellect, to apply them∣selves to Corporeall Government, are by Divine Providence confin'd to caduque, corruptible Bodies, loosed from which▪ they may in a short time, if they fail not themselves, return to their Intellectuall felicity. Other Soules not hindred from Spe∣culation, are tyed to eternall incorruptible Bodies.
Celestial Souls then (design'd by Ianus, as the Principles of Time, motion intervening) behold the Ideal Beauty in the Intel∣lect, to love it perpetually; and inferiour sensible things, not to desire their Beauty; but, to communicate this other to them. Our Souls before united to the Body, are in like manner double∣fac'd; but, are then as it were, cleft asunder, retaining but one; which as they turn to either object, Sensuall or Intellectuall, is deprived of the other.
Thus is vulgar love inconsistent with the Celestiall; and many ravish'd at the sight of Intellectuall Beauty, become blinde to sensible; imply'd by Callimachus, Hymn. 5. in the Fable of Tyresias, who viewing Pallas naked, lost his sight; yet by her was made a Prophet, closing the eyes of his Body, she open'd those of his Minde, by which he beheld both the Present and Future. The Ghost of Achilles which inspir'd Homer with all Intellectuall Contemplations in Poetry, deprived him of corporeal sight.
Though Celestiall Love liveth eternally in the Intellect of every Soul; yet, only those few make use of it, who declining the Care of the Body, can with Saint Paul say, Whether in the Body, or out of the Body they know not. To which state a Man sometimes ar∣rives; but, continues there but a while, as we see in Extasies.