CHAP. II.
Of the nature of an end in generall, and some distinctions about it.
THe a 1.1 end of any thing, is that which the Agent intendeth to accomplish, in, and by the operation which is proper unto [§ I] its nature, and which it applieth it selfe unto: that which any one aimeth at, and designeth in himselfe to attaine, as a thing good and desireable unto him, in the state and condition wherein he is: so the end which Noah proposed unto himselfe in the building of the Arke, was the preservation of himselfe and others, according to the will of God, he made an Arke to preserve himselfe and his fa∣mily from the flood, according to all that God commanded him so did he. Gen. 6. 22. that which the Agent doth, or whereto he applyeth himselfe, for the compassing his proposed end, is called the meanes, which two doe compleate the whole reason of working in free Intellectuall Agents, for I speake onely of such as worke accord∣ing to choyse or election: so Absolom intending a revolt from his father to procure the Crowne and kingdome for himselfe, he pre∣pared him horses and chariots, and fifty men to runn before him. 2 Sam. 15. 1. and further, by faire words and glozing compliances, he stole the hearts of the men of Israel, ver. 6. then pretends a sacrifice at Hebron, where he makes a strong conspiracy, ver. 12. all which were the means he used for the attaining of his foreproposed end.
Between both these, end and meanes, there is this b 1.2 Relation, that (though in sundry kinds) they are mutually causes one of a∣nother: [§ II] the end is the first principall moving cause of the whole: it is that, for whose sake the whole worke is, no Agent applyes it selfe to action but for an end: and were it not by that, determi∣ned to some certaine effect, thing, way, or manner of working, it c 1.3 would no more doe one thing than another. d 1.4 The inhabitance of the old world, desiring and intending unity and cohabitation, with (perhaps) some reserves to provide for their safety against a second storme, they cry, go to, let us build us a City and a Tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. Gen. 11. 4. First they