Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/141

120 duce that Fate of the Stoicks; nor do I endeavour to revive those long since expired Beldames the destinies: It is a modest and pious fate I contend for, and which differs from the violent one these four wayes. The Stoicks subject God to Fate; neither was Jupiter himself in Homer able to exempt his Sarpedon from its bonds, when he earnestly desired it, But we on the contrary subject Fate to God whom we acknowledge to be a most free Author, and independent Agent in all things: Who when he pleases can surpass, and break through all the strengths, and intricate foldings of Fate. They also constitute a Series and Flux of Natural causes from Eternity; we admit not such a Series of these causes without interruption (for God makes Prodigies, and worketh Miracles, oftentimes besides, yea contrary to Nature) nor can this Series of causes be from Eternity. For Second causes are not Eternal, as having (most certainly) their beginings with that of the world. Thirdly, Rh