Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/41

20 BY EXTERNAL OR ACCIDENTAL OCCURRENCES. I said a STRENGTH, and I thereby understand such a firmness as is begot in the Mind, not by Opinion, but by Judgement and right Reason. For above all things I would exclude from hence Pervicaciousness (or whether I may better call it Pertinaciousness) which it self is the strength of an Obedient Mind, but such only as is engender'd by the wind of Pride and vain Glory; and is but in one part of it only. For those Pervicacious Persons though they are not (swollen as they are) easily to be depress'd: Yet a light matter doth lift them up. Not unlike unto a bladder which being fill'd with wind will not sink without difficulty; but appears aloft, and bounds upon the Water of its own accord. Such is the flatulent hardness of these Men; which as I said arises from Pride, and too high an estimate of self, and by Rh