Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/125

104 ''and the same time, both to Providence and Necessity; and the Stars are subject to Fate. For no man can evade the force of Fate, nor with all his caution prevent the powerful influence of the Starrs. For these are the Artillery, and weapons of Fate, by whose direction they cause and conclude all those things which are in Nature or amongst Men.'' And in this Ship of Folly are (at this day) embarked; the most of the Astrologers amongst us to the great reproach of Christianity.

Natural Fate; I call such an Order of Natural causes which (unless they are hindred) do by their own Nature, and efficacy produce alwayes a certain and the same effect. Aristotle is for such a Fate if we may credit Alexander Aphrodisiensis one of the most Faithful of his Interpreters; and of the like Mind was Theophrastus; who plainly asserts that Fate is nothing else, but every Mans Nature. Agreeable to those Mens O- Rh