This world is mere change, and this life, opinion. IV. If to
understand and to be reasonable be common unto all men,
then is that reason, for which we are termed reasonable,
common unto all. If reason is general, then is that reason also,
which prescribeth what is to be done and what not, common unto all.
If that, then law. If law, then are we fellow-citizens.
If so, then are we partners in some one commonweal.
If so, then the world is as it were a city. For which other
commonweal is it, that all men can be said to be members of?
From this common city it is, that understanding, reason, and law
is derived unto us, for from whence else? For as that which in me
is earthly I have from some common earth; and that which is moist
from some other element is imparted; as my breath and life hath its
proper fountain; and that likewise which is dry and fiery in me:
(for there is nothing which doth not proceed from something;
as also there is nothing that can be reduced unto mere nothing:)
so also is there some common beginning from whence my
understanding bath proceeded.

V. As generation is, so also death, a secret of nature's wisdom:
a mixture of elements, resolved into the same elements again,
a thing surely which no man ought to be ashamed of:
in a series of other fatal events and consequences, which a
rational creature is subject unto, not improper or incongruous,
nor contrary to the natural and proper constitution of man himself.

VI. Such and such things, from such and such causes, must of
necessity proceed. He that would not have such things to happen,
is as he that would have the fig-tree grow without any sap or moisture.
In sum, remember this, that within a very little while,