unto God, and how that part of man is affected, when it is said
to be diffused. There is nothing more wretched than that soul,
which in a kind of circuit compasseth all things, searching (as he saith)
even the very depths of the earth; and by all signs and conjectures
prying into the very thoughts of other men's souls; and yet of this,
is not sensible, that it is sufficient for a man to apply himself wholly,
and to confine all his thoughts and cares to the tendance of that
spirit which is within him, and truly and really to serve him.
His service doth consist in this, that a man keep himself pure from
all violent passion and evil affection, from all rashness and vanity,
and from all manner of discontent, either in regard of the gods or men.
For indeed whatsoever proceeds from the gods, deserves respect
for their worth and excellency; and whatsoever proceeds from men,
as they are our kinsmen, should by us be entertained,
with love, always; sometimes, as proceeding from their ignorance,
of that which is truly good and bad, (a blindness no less, than that
by which we are not able to discern between white and black:)
with a kind of pity and compassion also.