Page:Characteristicks of men, manners, opinions, times Vol 2.djvu/21

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Concerning VIRTUE.
17

sullen State he was like to have a very disconsolate kind of Life." But if we were assur'd, that notwithstanding all Appearances, the Creature enjoy'd himself extremely, had a great relish of Life, and was in nothing wanting to his own Good; we might acknowledge perhaps, "That the Creature was no Monster, nor absurdly constituted as to himself." But we shou'd hardly, after all, be induc'd to say of him, That he was a good Creature." However, shou'd it be urg'd against us. "That such as he was, the Creature was still perfect in himself, and therefore to be esteem'd good: For what had he to do with others?" In this sense, indeed, we might be forc'd to acknowledge, "That he was a good Creature; if he cou'd be understood to be absolute and compleat in himself; without any real relation to any thing in the Universe besides." For shou'd there be any where in Nature a System, of which this living Creature was to be consider'd as a Part; then cou'd he no-wise be allow'd good; whilst he plainly appear'd to be such a Part, as made rather to the harm than good of that System or Whole in which he was included.

If therefore in the Structure of this or any other Animal, there be any thing which points

beyond