Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	humane_a	law_n	positive_a	2,470	5	10.9031	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A30653	The history of Eriander composed by John Burton.	Burton, John, 1629 or 30-1699.	1661 (1661)	Wing B6180; ESTC R2615	75,262	220

curbing my passions intemperances that I may not be deprived of the use of reason These Rules by what hath been said will easily appear to be not onely consistent with the Law of self-interest and preservation but so interwoven with it that without these that cannot be in force and though these Rules be general yet from them may be derived punctual directions to guide men in the carrying on of all particular affairs for if the Understanding be rightly seasoned with these the Inclinations and Motions of the Will presently become tractable and obedient The knowledge of right and wrong is natural to all men it is as regent over all our actions I grant it is very often usurped upon by factious passions by corrupt opinions which men unwarily admit and suffer themselves to be governed by them Yet I believe that he that is professedly wicked if he allows himself any leisure to consider what he doth cannot commit an evil action without some dissatisfaction and reluctancy but his unhappiness is that being transported and prepossest with a corrupt passion or opinion he furiously pursues that which his appetite desires and admits not any leisurable arguing or deliberation as the vertuous man doth who when any thing reducible to practice holds his mind in suspence and incumbers it with difficulty frames in his thoughts the contradictory to it making two practical propositions this is lawfull It is not lawfull which being contradictory cannot both be true he examines them judiciously and warily distinguishes which is to be asserted which rejected Or as some observe there is a Syllogism contrived in mens thoughts All vice is to be avoided This is a vice Then it is to be avoided A vertuous man concedes the whole Argument An incontinent or wavering man grants the major but being placed in a middle state between virtue and vice is unresolved in the minor A desperately wicked man regards neither his furious appetite prevents all the conclusions his reason would collect from the premisses Although I made a supposition that the principles of morality were to be found most sincere among the simple and illiterate yet relating the qualifications of an exact morall man one shall be that he be of good parts well bred and have a solid judgment for such a one will manage his actons according to the rules of Reason more dexterously and judiciously and improve them with more advantage and splendor 2. Then it is required that he have a command over himself be able to subdue his passions and make them stoop to his Lure Freedome from all passions is a state of mind not attainable and if it could be attained useless and unserviceable Passions are of themselves things indifferent unrestrained they disturb the operations of the mind and put men out of course by representing various objects under the notion of good or bad pleasant or unpleasant the soul upon the apprehension thereof is ready to move the bloud and spirits rashly and disorderly insomuch as the light of Reason is obstructed and disturbed and the Actions of the Understanding become irregular As Vapours in a full stomach fume into the head disorder the visive spirits and produce error in the sight but prudently managed they become serviceable and advantagious Anger may make a man heroick valiant and hardy Joy adds speed and resolution and inforces a man oft-times to go beyond himself in dispatch of business Fear and grief though they seem to be sluggish and unactive may sometimes do a Curtesie by making men circumspect and wary Sometimes a kind of fear arises from an insuperable necessity or huge danger that wings the Resolution and begets courage necessity of action quickens the sluggish spirits enforces a man to volour and eloquence and makes him ready to attempt any enterprize Meer necessity makes some men active and Despair its self begets Hope Love widens and inlarges the minde inclines men to do favours and kindnesses from which flowes the greatest pleasure that can be Ambition and love of honour though often extravagant in compassing its ends inclines men to gallantry of spirit to hate baseness to be mercifull to Suppliants The Law of Nature is a Rule resulting from the light of Reason and directs men in the managing of their actions especially as they are Members of a Common-wealth and being written with indelible characters in their mindes invites them to correspond with such positive humane constitutions as are agreeable to it Politick and municipial Laws are but as a Commentary upon this original Law and the more conformable they are to that the more free reception they meet with among men It commands 1. Self-conservation and 2. Multiplication of the kind 3. Equality to be allowed among men 4. That God is to be worshipped 5. Good to be chosen evil to be avoided 6. A greater good to be chosen before a less 7. Parents to be honoured 8. That we ought to deal by others as we desire to be dealt by 9. That we restore things committed to our trust And 10. Desire peace and rest 11. That we usurp not the privilege of being our own Judges 12. That we be ready to pardon And divers other Rules which a man may collect by Meditation There is in the mindes of all men not brutish a Rule of Reason which avouches what is good what bad what is right and wrong for Humane Laws do not define or decree that neither can they A Tyrant may constrain men by perverse Laws to do that which is unjust but he cannot constrain them to judge and esteem that which is unjust to be just that freedom they will have in dispite of him Could this law of nature be universally received and observed it might sufficiently secure the Peace and welfare of men but in regard that passion and error oversway reason and wrest the dictates of natures Law forcing them to serve base ends and so long as men are what they are men these corruptions and exorbitances cannot but obtain Lest some men under a pretence of the law of Nature should incroach upon too great a power to the prejudice of others who could be content with a calmnesse and moderation to be ruled by reason Therefore to secure the general quiet men put themselves under the protection of humane Lawes which as occasion serves abridge and restrain the law of Nature For Example whereas Nature teaches and commands self-preservation and propagation of the kind If one man goes about under a colour of sufficiency and provision for himself to defraud and destroy others it is thought fit to consult for the good of the whole body politick by cutting off such a dangerous member Nature teacheth us to do no lesse in the natural body Nature allowes equality among men but they have found it convenient and necessary to decline from this rule and for their more commodious cohabitation and government to be content that one man should be invested with a greater share of