Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/126

Chap. 18. pinions it is, that a man's begetting a Man, is by Fate; that if a man arrive to his death; by internall causes; without the accession of such as are forreigne, and outward; this is by Fate: On the other-side that a Man begets a Serpent or some other Monster this is not by Fate, neither if he perish by the Sword or Fire. An opinion truly not very peccant; inasmuch as it rises not to the force and height of Fate: And how can that be in danger of falling which never adventures to climb? And such is Aristotle almost every where in Divine matters; I except only that little Book of his, de Mundo; which is a golden one indeed; and such as seems to me, to be inspired by some other and more heavenly Genius. I read also farther in a Greek Writer; that Aristotle was of Opinion: That Fate it self is not a cause, but a certain accidental Mode to the cause; in such things as proceed from Neces- Rh