Let these three Hints lie ready for Service. First, As to your own Actions, let nothing be done rashly, nor to no Purpose, nor indeed in any other manner than Justice her self would have order'd it: And as for Casualties, and the State of your Fortune; consider that they are the blind Distributions of Chance, or else the Appointment of Providence. Now either to murmur against Chance, or Impeach Providence, is extreamly absurd. Secondly, consider what a slight thing Man is from his Conception, to his Birth or Animation ; ¹⁵ And from his first Breath to his last ; in the Parts of his Composition, and in the State of his Dissolution. Thirdly, Consider, that if you could shoot your self at Pleasure into the Sky, and thence take a View of Humane Affairs, you would perceive a strange medley of Humour, and Condition : And discover at the same time, the Air, and Ether too, plentifully stock'd with Inhabitants.¹⁶ And that if you mounted never so often, you'd have the old Prospect; Alass! Things are generally of the same Complexion, and of the same short Continuance too, and yet how strangely we are Conceited of them.