So, many stayres we must ascend vpright
Ere we attaine to Wisdome's high degree;[139]
So doth this Earth eclipse our Reason's light.
Which else (in instants) would like angels see.
Yet hath the Soule a dowrie naturall,
And sparkes of light, some common things to see;
Not being a blancke where nought is writ at all,
But what the writer will, may written be
For Nature in man's heart her lawes doth pen;
Prescribing truth to wit, and good to will;
Which doe accuse, or else excuse all men,
For euery thought or practise, good or ill:
And yet these sparkes grow almost infinite,
Making the World, and all therein their food;
As fire so spreads as no place holdeth it,
Being nourisht still, with new supplies of wood.
And though these sparkes were almost quencht with sin,
Yet they whom that Iust One hath iustifide;
Haue them encreasd with heauenly light within,
And like the widowe's oyle still multiplide.
The Power of Will.
And as this wit should goodnesse truely know,
We haue a Will, which that true good should chuse;
Though Wil do oft (when wit false formes doth show)
Take ill for good, and good for ill refuse.
The Relations betwixt Wit and Will.
Will puts in practice what the Wit deuiseth:
Will euer acts, and Wit contemplates still;
And as from Wit, the power of wisedome riseth,
All other vertues daughters are of Will.
Will is the prince, and Wit the counseller,
Which doth for common good in Counsell sit;
And when Wit is resolu'd, Will lends her power
To execute what is aduis'd by Wit.