Heaven the end of man or, Final cause of the soul's spirit. By William Williams, teutonico-philosopho-theologus

§. 10. By the Seven Properties.

SAy what you will (saith the Atheist) He that hath Skill to rule his own Spirit, may draw his Affe∣ctions and Fancy to what Object he pleaseth.

Answ. Ask thy own Mind, why will not it give over Imagination, and lie in Silence? Ask a Mad∣man why he will not stop the Wheel of his Mind, that rolleth about too violently? Ask a Man why he will not in sleep dream of Comedies? And enquire whether any of these have power over this Spirit of Phantacy, to retain the Spirit by his own Power.

It is true both in the Light and in the Wrath-World, which soever of the Seven Properties are predominant in the seven fold Wheel of the Eter∣nal Mind, that will by and by be lowermost: But in the Love Kingdom one Property desireth not to ex∣pel the rest out of the Harmony, or to move and turn the Wheels backward.

This is demonstrated in all things, especially in Musick: For tho' there be insinite Varieties of Notes and Tunes, according to the Altering and Transpo∣sings of the seven Sounds, yet (tho' the Saturnine or Martial String may be predominant) while an In∣strument is dexterously handled, the rest by a secret sympathy will bind them in a Melodious Harmony.

And this is also observable, That the end of a Tune hath some Resemblance to the beginning there∣thereof; to shew that when the Harmony of the Sphears or Stars of Time shall find its beginning a∣gain, then will it be swallowed up in an Eternal Consort of the Properties: Excepting those Essences

who have spoiled their Materials, or rather changed the form of their Breasts, according to the Pattern of which the Instrument is to be tuned.

It may also be seen in the Variety of other Sen∣sibles: For in taste there are many thousand Varie∣ties, yet if the seven Properties be rightly and arti∣ficially mixed, tho' the Saturnine property be pre∣dominant, yet the other Properties will bind it in an equal Accord: The like is understood of other qualities, too tedions to enumerate.

Thus by what hath been said, it is clear that a terrible Dream comes from the multitude of vain Busi∣ness; and a Fool in his Eternal Melancholly Fit of Angnith, snores in a deep sleep of Despair, and sees horrid Spectiums that imposeth real Punishment up∣on his Soul, according to his Lot and Degree.

And to answer the aforesaid Objection, it is con∣sest that when a Man is in love with a Maid: (the Object engaged to his Noblest Passion, her Idea be∣ing as it were stamped upon his Spirit with the Character of Sympathy) Tho' you proser him ano∣ther Maid far more worthy in Beauty and Nobility than the former, yet none will content his Fancy, or stop the current of his Passion, but the Enjoy∣ment of her, (to whose Service he was made Votary before) or Death.

Even so the Soul being in love, and enamoured with his fair Virgin, though you proffer him all the External Joys and Pleasures that the World can af∣ford, yet the Soul doth slight all, and contemn them in comparison of the Virgins Love.

Answ. Tho' this External Love hath some Analo∣gy (if it be pure and Faithful) to the love between the Soul and Gods pure Virgin; yet there is a difference between the Phantacy and Imagination, in

its pursuit after divers Objects: The Object makes the Difference: For if the Soul takes a Shadow for a Substance, there's the Deceit, and the great Er∣ror. And so as one said, (Ow. Epigr.) If chaste true Love be accounted the greatest Terrestrial Happiness, what may we suppose Calestial Love to be!