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If a passion may usurp the intellectual faculties, one may "no more be able to govene" himself than "a little Infant or a mad-man to hold the reynes of a Common-wealth"

— Tubbe, Henry (1618-1655)

Author

Meditations Divine & Morall

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for Robert Gibbs

Date

1659

Metaphor

If a passion may usurp the intellectual faculties, one may "no more be able to govene" himself than "a little Infant or a mad-man to hold the reynes of a Common-wealth"

Metaphor in Context

Good Order is the life and soule of Government. In the external frame of nature we may observe a regular disposition and uniformity of creatures. The Heavens walk in a constant course of circular motion. The Sea ebbes and flows at certain seasons. All things have their just beginning, progress and dissolution; confusion and disorder dwell no where but in Hell; and the wicked man is but an irregular limb of that Region. Disorderly tumults proceed from the Prince of darknesse, whose Kingdome is but a medly of violence and rebellion. Factious men are of the Devils kindred; still perplexed in disturbing others. One jarring string puts all the rest out of tune; one unruly companion will spoile the peace of a faire society. I shall endeavour to keep my mind within a reasonable compass; for if the least passion once usurp upon the intellectual faculties, I shall be no more able to governe my selfe then a little Infant or a mad-man to hold the reynes of a Common-wealth
(pp. 119-21, in. 62-3)