The Passions of the Mind in General

of the Minde.

foundly in the matter of our Passions. The naturall
Philosopher contemplating the natures of men and
beasts sensitive soules (for Passions are common to
both) consequently enter into discourse about the acti-
ons and operations thereof; for, without the know-
ledge of them it were impossible to attaine vnto the
perfite vnderstanding of either of them. The morall
Philosopher, describing maners, inviting to virtue, dis-
swading from vice, sheweth how our inordinate ap-
petites must be brideled with fortitude & temperance;
he declareth their natures, their craft & deceit, in what
fort of persons they are most vehement, and in whome
more moderate; and to be briefe, he spendeth wel nie
in this disputation, all his morall Philosophie, in teach-
ing how they may be vsed, or abused.

See the Philosophers in the second and third [books] On the Soul.

The christian Orator (I meane the godly Preacher)
perfitely vnderstanding the natures and proprieties of
mens passions, questionlesse may effectuate strange
matters in the mindes of his Auditors. I remember a
Preacher in Italy, who had such power over his Audi-
tors affections, that when it pleased him he could cause
them shead aboundance of teares, yea and with teares
dropping downe their cheeks, presently turne their sor-
row into laughter; and the reason was, because he him-
selfe being extreamely passionate, knowing moreover,
the Arte of mooving the affections of those Auditors;
and besides that, the most part were women that heard
him, (whose passions are most vehement and mutable)
therefore hee might have perswaded them what hee li-
sted. The same commoditie may be gathered by all
other Oratours, as Embassadours, Lawyers, Ma-
gistrates, Captaines, and whatsoever would perswade

See Aristotle's Rhetorics.