Cosmologia Sacra

CHAP. 6. Of Wisdom.

Wisdom, more directly looks at the causes of things, 1. All reducible to the efficient, 2. Whereof there are four cardinals, 3. Each of which has four general ways of operation, 4, 5, 6, 7. The distinct observations whereof are the elements of wisdom, 8.

Of the first cardinal, the first way of operation is that of body upon body; either by the bulk, 9; the figure, 10; or the position, 11. On which are grounded not only the greater part of mechanic operations, but the mechanism and motions of animals, 12; and in a great part, the production of sundry diseases, 13; as also the internal actions and operations of bodies, 14, seldom knowable save in their visible effects, 15, 16. The second way of operation is that of body upon sense, 17. The third, of body upon fancy; whereof, divers instances, 18, 19, 20, 21. The fourth, of body upon reason, 22.

Of the second cardinal, the first way of operation is of sense upon body, 23. The second, of sense upon sense, 24, 25. The third, of sense upon fancy, 26, 27. The fourth, of sense upon reason, 28. Further instanced in the operation of beauty, 29; clothes, 30; speech, 31; and gesture, 32.

Of the third cardinal, the first way of operation is that of fancy upon body; whereof divers instances, 33, 34, 35, 36. The second, of fancy upon sense, 37, 38, 39. The third, of fancy upon fancy, shown in sundry instances, 40, etc., to 46. The fourth, of fancy upon reason. By its perceptive acts, 47, and those of volition, 48, 49. Among other fancies, four especially, often superior unto reason; viz., wit, 51, 52, 53; opinion, whereof sundry instances, 54, etc., to 58; love, 59, 60; and pride, 61.

Of the fourth cardinal, the first way of operation is that of reason upon body, 62, 63. The second, of reason upon sense, 64, 65. The third, of reason upon fancy, 66, 67, which it governs and uses several ways, 69, 70. The fourth, of reason upon reason. Either in another, 71, 72, or in a man's self. As one truth begets another, 73. Either proximate, whereof divers instances, 74, etc., to 79; or remote, 80, 81, 82, 83. And often builds high upon mean foundations, 84, etc., to 88. And as the understanding operates on the intellectual will, 89. How all wisdom founded in the premises, 90.

CHAP. 7. Of Virtue.

Goodness, what, 1. Hereof, many kinds, 2. As more or less certain, 3; or comprehensive, 4; or enjoyed; whether sensual, 5; fantastic, 6; or intellectual, 7. As one kind, or degree, is related to another, 8; or to the universe, 9, 10. In the choice whereof consisteth virtue, 11, which is one immutable thing, 12. In choosing the best end and means, 13, 14, and is the highest wisdom, 15. To be virtuous, more than to be innocent, 16. Is joined with resolution, 17, and is the force both of reason and of fancy, 18. Therefore the highest wisdom, and something more, 19, 20. Mediocrity, not hereunto necessary, 21.