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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 July 2022
Of the Nature of Felicity, its Excellence and Perfection.
THE Peripateticks, so far forth as they contemplated the Nature and Estate of man in this World, were Wise, in defining the Goods of the Body, Soul and Fortune to concur to Mans perfect Happiness. For Difficulties and Conflicts are not Essential to the Nature of Bliss, nor consistent with the fruition of its fulness and Perfection.
THERE is the Way, and the journeyes end.
IN the Way to Felicity many things are to be endured, that are not to be desired. And therefore is it necessary, to make a Distinction between the way to Felicity, and the Rest which we attain in the end of our Journey.
THE Goods of the Soul, are absolutely necessary in the Way to Happiness; the Goods of the Body are very convenient, and those of Fortune Commodious enough. But the lattter of these are not with too much eagerness to be pursued.
THE Goods of the soul are wisdom, Knowledg, Courage, all the Virtues, all the Passions, Affections, Powers and faculties. And these you know are absolutely necessary.
THE Goods of the Body are Health, Agility, Beauty, Vivacity, Strength and Libertie: and these shall in Heaven it self, together with those of the Soul, be enjoyed. By which you may discern that the Goods of the Body are real Parts and Ingredients of Happiness.
THE Goods of Fortune are food and Rayment, Houses and Lands, Riches, Honours, Relations and Friends, with all those convenient Circumstances without the Body, that are subject to chance. By which vertue is assisted, and of which a noble use may be made, in Works of Justice, Hospitality, Courtesie and Charity, which may redound to our greater Felicity here and in heaven.
THE more Honor and pleasure we enjoy, the Greater and more Perfect is our present Happiness: Tho many times in the Way to Felicity, we are forced to quit all these, for the Preservation of our Innocence.
GALLANT Behaviour in slighting all Transitory things for the Preservation of our Virtue, is more conducive to our future Perfection, then the greatest ease imaginable in our present condition.
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