Works of Joseph Hall, Section 3
SECT. III.
Inſufficiency of humane precepts.WHence eaſily appeares how vainely it hath beene ſought either in ſuch a conſtant eſtate of outward things, as ſhould giuegive no diſtaſte to the minde whiles all earthly things varie with the weather, and hauehave no ſtay but in vncertainty, or in the naturall temper of the ſoule, ſo ordered by humane wiſdome, as that it ſhould not be affected with any caſuall euents to either part; ſince that cannot euer by naturall power be held like to it ſelfe; but one while is cheerefull, ſtirring and ready to vndertake; another while drowſie, dull, comfortleſſe, prone to reſt, weary of it ſelfe, loathing his owne purpoſes, his owne reſolutions. In both which ſince the wiſeſt Philoſophers hauehave grounded all the rules of their Tranquillity, it is plaine that they ſaw it afarre off, as they did heauen it ſelfe with a deſire and admiration, but knew not the way to it: whereupon alas, how ſlight and impotent are the remedies they preſcribe for vnquietneſſe!Senecaes rules of Tranquillity abridged. For what is it that for the inconſtancie and lazineſſe of the minde ſtill diſpleaſing it ſelfe in what it doth, and for that diſtemper thereof which ariſeth from the fearefull, vnthriuing, and reſtleſſe deſires of it, wee ſhould euer bee imploying our ſelues in ſome publike affaires, chuſing our buſineſſe according to our inclination, and proſecuting what wee hauehave choſen? wherewith being at laſt cloyed, wee ſhould retire our ſelues, and weare the reſt of our time in priuate ſtudies; that wee ſhould make due comparatiue trials of our owne abilitie; nature of our buſineſſes; diſpoſition of our choſen friends? that in reſpect of Patrimonie wee ſhould bee but careleſly affected, ſo drawing it in as it may be leaſt for ſhew, moſt for vſe; remouing all pompe, bridling our hopes, cutting off ſuperfluities; for croſſes, to conſider that cuſtome will abate and mitigate them, that the beſt things are but chaines and burdens to thoſe that hauehave them; to thoſe that vſe them, that the worſt things hauehave ſome mixture of comfort to thoſe that grone vnderunder them. Or leauing theſe lower rudiments that are giuen to weake and ſimple nouices, to examine thoſe golden rules of Morality, which are commended to the moſt wiſe and able practitioners, what it is to account himſelfe as a Tenant at will? To fore-imagine the worſt in all caſuall matters? To auoid all idle and impertinent buſineſſes, all pragmaticall medling with affaires of State? not to fix our ſelues vponupon any one eſtate, as to bee impatient of a change, to call backe the minde from outward things, and draw it home into it ſelfe? to laugh at and eſteeme lightly of others miſ-demeanours? Not to depend vponupon others opinions, but to ſtand on our owne bottomes? to carry our ſelues in an honeſt and ſimple truth, free from a curious hypocriſie, and affectation of ſeeming other than we are, and yet as free from a baſe kinde of careleſneſſe? to intermeddle retiredneſſe wich ſocietie, ſo as one may giuegive ſweetneſſe to the other, and both to vsus? So ſlackning the minde that we may not looſen it, and ſo bending as we may nor breake it? to make moſt of our ſelues, chearing vp our ſpirits with varietie of recreations, with ſatiety of meales, and all other bodily indulgence, ſauing that drunkenneſſe (mee thinkes) can neither beſeeme a wiſe Philoſopher to preſcribe, nor a vertuous man to practiſe? All theſe in their kindes pleaſe well,Allowed yet by Sene…a in his laſt chapter of Tranquillitie. Senecaes rules reiected as inſufficient. profit much, and are as ſoueraigne for both theſe, as they are vnable to effect that for which they are propounded. Nature teacheth thee all theſe ſhould be done, ſhee cannot teach thee to doe them: and yet doe all theſe and no more, let mee neuer hauehave reſt, if thou hauehave it. For neither are here the greateſt enemies of our peace ſo much as deſcried afarre off, nor thoſe that are noted are hereby ſo preuented, that vponupon moſt diligent practice we can promiſe our ſelues any ſecurity: wherewith who ſo inſtructed, dare confidently giuegive challenge to all ſiniſter euents, is like to ſome skilfull Fencer who ſtands vponupon his vſuall wards, and plaies well; but if there come a ſtrange fetch of an vnwonted blow, is put beſides the rules of his Art, and with much ſhame ouer-taken. And for thoſe that are knowne, beleeue mee, the minde of man is too weake to beare out it ſelfe hereby againſt all onſets. There are light croſſes that will take an eaſie repulſe; others yet ſtronger, that ſhake the houſe ſide, but breake not in vponupon vsus; others vehement, which by force make way to the heart, where they finde none, breaking open the doore of the ſoule that denies entrance. Others violent, that lift the minde off the hindges, or rend the bars of it in peeces: others furious, that teare vp the very foundations from the bottome, leauing no monument behinde them, but ruine.Antonius Pius. The wiſeſt and moſt reſolute Moraliſt that euer was, lookt pale when he ſhould taſte of his Hemlocke; and by his timorouſneſſe made ſport to thoſe that enuied his ſpeculations.An Epiſtle to the Aſians concerning the perſecuted Chriſtians. The beſt of the Heathen Emperors (that was honoured with the title of piety) iuſtly magnified that courage of Chriſtians which made them inſult ouer their tormentors, and by their feareleſneſſe of earth-quakes, and deaths, argued the truth of their Religion. It muſt be, it can be none but a diuine power, that can vphold the minde againſt the rage of maine afflictions, and yet the greateſt croſſes are not the greateſt enemies to inward peace. Let vsus therefore looke vp aboue our ſelues, and from the rules of an higher Art, ſupply the defects of naturall wiſdome, giuing ſuch infallible directions for tranquillity, that whoſoeuer ſhall follow, cannot but liue ſweetly and with continuall delight, applauding himſelfe at home, when all the world beſides him ſhall be miſerable.Diſpoſition of the worke. To which purpoſe it ſhall be requiſite, firſt to remoue all cauſes of vnquietneſſe, and then to ſet downe the grounds of our happy reſt.