But as for those which by the vulgar are esteemed good,
if he shall hear them mentioned as good, he doth hearken for more.
He is well contented to hear, that what is spoken by the comedian,
is but familiarly and popularly spoken, so that even the vulgar
apprehend the difference. For why is it else, that this offends
not and needs not to be excused, when virtues are styled good:
but that which is spoken in commendation of wealth, pleasure,
or honour, we entertain it only as merrily and pleasantly spoken?
Proceed therefore, and inquire further, whether it may not be that
those things also which being mentioned upon the stage were merrily,
and with great applause of the multitude, scoffed at with this jest,
that they that possessed them had not in all the world of their own,
(such was their affluence and plenty) so much as a place
where to avoid their excrements. Whether, I say, those ought
not also in very deed to be much respected, and esteemed of,
as the only things that are truly good.

XIII. All that I consist of, is either form or matter.
No corruption can reduce either of these unto nothing:
for neither did I of nothing become a subsistent creature.
Every part of mine then. will by mutation be disposed into
a certain part of the whole world, and that in time into
another part; and so in infinitum; by which kind of mutation,
I also became what I am, and so did they that begot me,
and they before them, and so upwards in infinitum.
For so we may be allowed to speak, though the age and government
of the world, be to some certain periods of time limited,
and confined. XIV. Reason, and rational power,
are faculties which content themselves with themselves,
and their own proper operations. And as for their first