Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/188

Chap. 6. and impossible to be declin'd. I shall now therefore bring up my Third Squadron led by Utility; which I may truly call the Legion Adjutrix, a Valiant and subtile power, which I know not how doth convey and insinuate it self into the Minds of Men, and with a pleasing kind of violence so overcomes them, as that themselves are not unwilling to be conquer'd. It rather gains upon us by degrees, than by violent impressions, and rather perswades than compells us. For we as readily permit our selves to be led by Utility, as drawn by Necessity. This Lipsius I now oppose against you and your failing troops. For these publick evils which we suffer are profitable, and contribute much to our inward advantage. Did I call them Evils? They are rather goods; if removing this veil of Opinion, we have a due recourse unto their Original and End; of which the former is from good, and the latter is for good. For Rh