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he that would take the paines, might enrowle a legion. And if the
Excesses be madnesse, there is no doubt but the Passions themselves,
when they tend to Evill, are degrees of the same.

(For example,) Though the effect of folly, in them that are possessed
of an opinion of being inspired, be not visible alwayes in one man,
by any very extravagant action, that proceedeth from such Passion;
yet when many of them conspire together, the Rage of the whole multitude
is visible enough. For what argument of Madnesse can there be greater,
than to clamour, strike, and throw stones at our best friends?
Yet this is somewhat lesse than such a multitude will do. For they
will clamour, fight against, and destroy those, by whom all their
lifetime before, they have been protected, and secured from injury.
And if this be Madnesse in the multitude, it is the same in every
particular man. For as in the middest of the sea, though a man perceive
no sound of that part of the water next him; yet he is well assured,
that part contributes as much, to the Roaring of the Sea,
as any other part, of the same quantity: so also, thought wee
perceive no great unquietnesse, in one, or two men; yet we may be
well assured, that their singular Passions, are parts of the Seditious
roaring of a troubled Nation. And if there were nothing else that
bewrayed their madnesse; yet that very arrogating such inspiration
to themselves, is argument enough. If some man in Bedlam should
entertaine you with sober discourse; and you desire in taking leave,
to know what he were, that you might another time requite his civility;
and he should tell you, he were God the Father; I think you need expect
no extravagant action for argument of his Madnesse.

This opinion of Inspiration, called commonly, Private Spirit,
begins very often, from some lucky finding of an Errour generally
held by others; and not knowing, or not remembring, by what conduct
of reason, they came to so singular a truth, (as they think it,
though it be many times an untruth they light on,) they presently
admire themselves; as being in the speciall grace of God Almighty,
who hath revealed the same to them supernaturally, by his Spirit.

Again, that Madnesse is nothing else, but too much appearing Passion,
may be gathered out of the effects of Wine, which are the same with
those of the evill disposition of the organs. For the variety of
behaviour in men that have drunk too much, is the same with that
of Mad-men: some of them Raging, others Loving, others laughing,
all extravagantly, but according to their severall domineering Passions:
For the effect of the wine, does but remove Dissimulation;
and take from them the sight of the deformity of their Passions.
For, (I believe) the most sober men, when they walk alone without
care and employment of the mind, would be unwilling the vanity and
Extravagance of their thoughts at that time should be publiquely seen:
which is a confession, that Passions unguided, are for the most part

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