Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/248

 68 pray'd with more of Extent, and Generosity.

VIII. Æsculapius, as we commonly speak, has prescrib'd such a one Riding out, Walking in his Slippers, or a Cold Bath ; Now much to the same meaning we may affirm, that Providence, or the Soul of the Universe, has ordered this or that Person a Disease, loss of Limbs or Estate, or some such other Calamity. For as in the first cafe, the word Prescribed, signifies a Direction for the Health of the Patient : so in the latter it means an Application, proper for the Constitution and Benefit of Fate. And thus these harsher Events may be counted fit for us; as Freestone which is well joyn'd, and lies Snug in a Building, may be said to fit it. Indeed, the whole of Nature, consists of an Harmony and Congruity of Parts; For as the World has its Form and Entireness from that univerfal Matter of which it consists; So the Character, and Distinction of Fate, results from the Quality and Concurrence of all other Causes contained in it. The Common People understand this Notion very well ; Their way of speaking is, This was sent him by Destiny : Say you so; was there not then somewhat of Purpose and Design in it? Let us then comply with our Doom, as we do with Rh