Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/127

106 sity. O the courage of a Philosopher! Who durst seriously Number, Fortune and chance amongst the causes, but not Fate. But I pass him, and return to my Stoicks (for not to dissemble I have a great affection and esteem for that Sect) who are the Authors of violent Fate; which I define with Seneca, such a Necessity of all things and actions: as no power is able to interrupt: Or with Chrysippus; a spiritual power that doth orderly govern this whole Universe. Nor are these Definitions very remote from that which is right and true: if they may have a sound and modest interpretation: As neither is their whole Opinion perhaps; were it not that it hath been already murthered by the retorted Thumbs of the whole hand of the vulgar. These charge them with two crimes; that they subject God himself to the disposal of Fate: and that they place also, the internal actions of our will, under Rh