[A] Ferunt Theologi, in lucem editis Hominibus cunctis, Salva firmitate fatali, bujusmodi quedam, velut actus vectura, numina Sociari:  Admodum tamen paucissimis visa, quos multiplices auxere virtutes.  Idque & Oracula & Autores docuerunt praclari.  Ammian Marcel Lib. 21.

[B] [Greek:  Hapanti Daimon andri symparistatai
Euthys genomeno mystagogos tou biou.  Menan]

[C] Scit Genius Natale comes, qui temperat Astrum, Nature Deus
Humana.  Horat. [Transcriber’s Note:  This footnote is not seen
in the text.]

[D] Volunt unicuique Genium appositum Damonem benum & malum, hoc est rationem qua ad meliora semper boriatur, & libidinem qua ad pejora, hic est Larva & Genius malus, ille bonus Genius & Lar. Serv. in Virgil, Lib. 6. v. 743.

  [E] Indulge Genio:  carpamus dulcia.  Pers.  Sat. 5.

  [F] Suum defraudans Genium. Terent.  Phorm.  Act 1.

But a Genius in common Acceptation amongst us, doth not barely answer to this Sense.  The Pondus Animae is to be taken into its Meaning, as well as the bare Inclination; as Gravitation in a Body (to which this bears great Resemblance) doth not barely imply a determination of its Motion towards a certain Center, but the Vis or Force with which it is carried forward; and so the English Word Genius, answers to the same Latin Word, and Ingenium together. [G]_Ingenium_ is the Vis ingenita, the natural Force or Power with which every Being is indued; and this, together with the particular Inclination of the Mind, towards any Business, or Study, or Way of Life, is what we mean by a Genius.  Both are necessary to make a Man shine in any Station or Employment.  Nothing considerable can be done against the Grain, or as the Latins express it, invita Minerva, in spite of Power and Inclination, “Forc’d Studies, says[H] Seneca, will never answer:  The Labour is in vain where Nature recoils.”  Indeed, where the Inclination towards any Thing is strong, Diligence and Application will in a great Measure supply the Defect of natural Abilities:  But then only is in a finish’d Genius, when with a strong Inclination there is a due Proportion of Force and Vigour in the Mind to pursue it.

  [G] Ingenium quasi intus genitum.

  [H] Male respondent ingenia coacta; reluctante natura irritus
  Labor est.

There is a vast Variety of these Inclinations among Mankind.  Some there are who have no bent to Business at all; but, if they could indulge Inclination, would doze out Life in perpetual Sloth and Inactivity:  Others can’t be altogether Idle, but incline only to trifling and useless Employments, or such as are altogether out of Character.  Both these sorts of Men are properly good for nothing:  They just live, and help to[I] consume the Products of the Earth, but answer no valuable End of Living, out of Inclination I mean; Providence and good Government have sometimes made them serviceable against it.