XI. 2.] THE SECOND BOOK. 145 



argument is coupled with a derivation of causes, which is 

 rational ; or when it is only grounded upon a coincidence 

 of the effect, which is experimental : whereof the latter 

 for the most part is superstitious ; such as were the hea 

 then observations upon the inspection of sacrifices, the 

 flights of birds, the swarming of bees ; and such as was 

 the Chaldean astrology, and the like. For artificial divin 

 ation, the several kinds thereof are distributed amongst 

 particular knowledges. The astronomer hath his predic 

 tions, as of conjunctions, aspects, eclipses, and the like. 

 The physician hath his predictions, of death, of recovery, 

 of the accidents and issues of diseases. The politique 

 hath his predictions ; urbem venalem, et cito perituram, 

 si emplorem invenerit I which stayed not long to be per 

 formed, in Sylla first, and after in Caesar. So as these 

 predictions are now impertinent, and to be referred over. 

 But the divination which springeth from the internal 

 nature of the soul, is that which we now speak of; which 

 hath been made to be of two sorts, primitive and by 

 influxion. Primitive is grounded upon the supposition, 

 that the mind, when it is withdrawn and collected into 

 itself, and not diffused into the organs of the body, hath 

 some extent and latitude of prenotion ; which therefore 

 appeareth most in sleep, in ecstasies, and near death, and 

 more rarely in waking apprehensions ; and is induced and 

 furthered by those abstinences and observances which 

 make the mind most to consist in itself. By influxion, is 

 grounded upon the conceit that the mind, as a mirror or 

 glass, should take illumination from the foreknowledge of 

 God and spirits : unto which the same regiment doth like 

 wise conduce. For the retiring of the mind within itself 

 is the state which is most susceptible of divine influxions ; 

 save that it is accompanied in this case with a fervency 



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