THE WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 71 



soever came first to the mark with his torch burning 

 got the prize. 



This fable demonstrates and presseth many true 

 and grave speculations, wherein some things have 

 been heretofore well noted, others not so much as 

 touched. 



Prometheus doth clearly and elegantly signify 

 Providence : for in the universality of nature, the 

 fabric and constitution of man only was by the 

 ancients picked out and chosen, and attributed unto 

 Providence as a peculiar work. The reason of it 

 seems to be, not only in that the nature of man is 

 capable of a mind and understanding, which is the 

 seat of providence, and therefore it would seem 

 strange and incredible, that the reason and mind 

 should so proceed and flow from dumb and deaf 

 principles, as that it should necessarily be concluded, 

 the soul of man to be endued with providence, not 

 without the example, intention, and stamp of a 

 greater providence. But this also is chiefly pro 

 pounded, that man is as it were the centre of the 

 world in respect of final causes ; so that if man were 

 not in nature, all things would seem to stray and 

 wander without purpose, and like scattered branches, 

 as they say, without inclination to their end ; for all 

 things attend on man ; and he makes use of, and 

 gathers fruit from all creatures ; for the revolutions 

 and periods of stars make both for the distinctions of 

 times and the distribution of the world s light. 

 Meteors also are referred to presages of tempests ; 

 and winds are ordained as well for navigation, as for 



