The profit of believing very usefull both for all those that are not yet resolved what religion they ought to embrace, and for them that desire to know whither their religion be true or no / written by S. Augustine.
         De utilitate credendi ad Honoratum. English
         Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo.
      
       
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             The profit of believing very usefull both for all those that are not yet resolved what religion they ought to embrace, and for them that desire to know whither their religion be true or no / written by S. Augustine.
             De utilitate credendi ad Honoratum. English
             Augustine, Saint, Bishop of Hippo.
             A. P.
          
           [20], 134 p.
           
             Printed by Roger Daniel ...,
             London :
             1651.
          
           
             Translation of: De utilitate credendi ad Honoratum.
             Preface signed: A.P.
             This work also appears, on reel 649:7, as the fourth title in: Five treatises, 1651 (Wing V455).
             Reproduction of original in Yale University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Faith.
        
      
    
       A26214  R7850  (Wing A4213).  civilwar no The profit of believing, very usefull both for all those that are not yet resolved what religion they ought to embrace: and for them that de Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, Saint 1651    25066 476 0 0 0 0 0 190 F  The  rate of 190 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with  100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           PROFIT
           OF
           BELIEVING
           ,
           Very
           usefull
           Both
           for
           all
           those
           that
           are
           not
           yet
           resolved
           what
           Religion
           they
           ought
           to
           embrace
           :
           And
           for
           them
           that
           desire
           to
           know
           whither
           their
           Religion
           be
           true
           or
           no
           .
        
         
           Written
           by
           
             S.
          
           Augustine
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           ROGER
           DANIEL
           In
           
             Lovels
          
           Court
           ,
           near
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           .
           1651.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           The
           Preface
           ,
           To
           the
           well-disposed
           
             READER
             .
          
        
         
           Learned
           Reader
           ,
        
         
           I
           Know
           thou
           art
           not
           ignorant
           ,
           that
           of
           all
           the
           affairs
           and
           businesses
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           there
           is
           none
           of
           that
           consequence
           and
           importance
           unto
           thee
           ,
           as
           the
           saving
           of
           thy
           soul
           :
           and
           that
           our
           Blessed
           Saviour
           who
           knew
           best
           of
           all
           the
           inestimable
           value
           thereof
           ,
           and
           vouch●●●ed
           to
           redeem
           it
           at
           so
           dear
           a
           rate
           as
           with
           his
           own
           p●etious
           bloud
           ,
           plainly
           declared
           the
           importance
           thereof
           ,
           when
           he
           said
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             Mat.
          
           16.
           16.
           
           
             What
             is
             a
             man
             profited
             ,
             if
             he
             shall
             gain
             the
             world
             ●nd
             loose
             his
             own
             soul
             ?
             Or
             what
             shall
             he
             give
             in
             exchange
             ther●of
             ?
          
           
           Wherefore
           let
           me
           advise
           thee
           to
           seek
           out
           and
           embrace
           the
           true
           Faith
           and
           Religion
           ,
           for
           that
           
             without
             such
             a
             Faith
          
           (
           according
           to
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           11.
           6.
           
           )
           
             it
             is
             impossible
             toplease
             God
             ,
          
           and
           without
           pleasing
           of
           him
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           to
           be
           saved
           .
           If
           thou
           thinkest
           that
           thou
           ha●t
           found
           out
           the
           truth
           already
           ,
           and
           that
           thou
           dost
           embrace
           it
           ,
           then
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           tell
           thee
           ,
           that
           the
           world
           at
           this
           present
           abounds
           with
           an
           hundred
           here●ies
           at
           least
           the
           
             embracers
             whereof
             shall
             not
          
           (
           according
           to
           S.
           
             Pauls
          
           doctrine
           ,
           
             Gal.
          
           5.
           20.
           
           )
           
             inherit
             the
             kingdome
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           (
           as
           the
           same
           Apostle
           doth
           affirm
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           4.
           5.
           
           )
           there
           is
           but
           
             one
             Lord
             ,
             one
             Faith
             ,
             one
             Baptisme
             :
          
           so
           that
           it
           is
           an
           hundred
           to
           one
           ,
           but
           that
           thy
           Faith
           and
           thy
           Religion
           are
           false
           ,
           and
           thy
           salvation
           is
           in
           danger
           thereby
           .
           Is
           there
           not
           then
           great
           reason
           that
           thou
           shouldest
           well
           consider
           ,
           whither
           the
           Faith
           
           and
           Religion
           which
           thou
           embracest
           be
           true
           or
           no
           ,
           when
           upon
           this
           resolution
           depends
           thy
           fr●●tion
           of
           unspeakable
           blisse
           ,
           or
           intolerable
           suffering
           of
           endlesse
           pa●ns
           for
           all
           eternity
           ?
           How
           to
           find
           out
           the
           true
           Faith
           &
           Religion
           it
           is
           a
           matter
           of
           very
           great
           difficulty
           ,
           not
           onely
           by
           reason
           that
           there
           are
           many
           faiths
           and
           religions
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           these
           there
           is
           but
           one
           true
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           rest
           be
           false
           ,
           but
           also
           for
           that
           the
           controversies
           debated
           now
           adayes
           are
           so
           many
           ,
           and
           so
           intricate
           ,
           that
           few
           have
           leasure
           to
           study
           them
           ,
           and
           fewer
           ability
           to
           conceive
           and
           understand
           them
           :
           yet
           the
           zeal
           of
           learned
           Writers
           hath
           not
           been
           wanting
           to
           satisfie
           men
           herein
           .
           But
           what
           age
           since
           the
           Apostles
           dayes
           hath
           brought
           forth
           any
           man
           so
           able
           to
           perform
           so
           great
           a
           task
           ,
           as
           was
           that
           incomparable
           Doctor
           S.
           
             Augustine
             lib.
          
           3.
           
             de
             Eccles.
             fol.
          
           170.
           who
           (
           as
           Doctour
           
           
             Field
          
           asserteth
           )
           
             was
             the
             greatest
             and
             chiefest
             of
             the
             antient
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             the
             most
             famous
             of
             all
             the
             Divines
             which
             the
             Church
             hath
             had
             since
             the
             Apostles
             time
             :
          
           and
           as
           Doctour
           
             Covell
          
           affirmeth
           in
           his
           answer
           to
           Master
           
             Burges
          
           pag.
           3.
           )
           
             hath
             farre
             excelled
             all
             others
             that
             have
             been
             or
             are
             like
             to
             be
             hereafter
             (
             those
             onely
             excepted
             that
             were
             inspired
             by
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             )
             both
             in
             Divine
             and
             Humane
             knowledge
             .
          
           What
           man
           since
           the
           Apostles
           dayes
           ,
           could
           ever
           so
           well
           discem
           true
           doctrine
           from
           false
           ,
           truth
           from
           errour
           ,
           and
           true
           faith
           from
           heresie
           ,
           as
           could
           that
           great
           S.
           
             Augustine
          
           who
           did
           not
           onely
           like
           another
           
             David
             ,
          
           fight
           against
           the
           
             Goliah
          
           of
           one
           heresie
           ,
           but
           like
           another
           
             Joshua
          
           fought
           the
           battels
           of
           the
           Lord
           against
           all
           the
           force
           and
           power
           of
           heresie
           in
           his
           dayes
           ,
           for
           fourty
           years
           together
           ?
           Wherefore
           if
           this
           great
           Doctour
           should
           
           have
           left
           any
           advises
           or
           instructions
           behinde
           him
           unto
           any
           of
           his
           dear
           friends
           that
           were
           then
           hereticks
           ,
           whereby
           he
           taught
           them
           how
           to
           find
           out
           the
           true
           faith
           and
           religion
           ,
           amongst
           so
           many
           heresies●
           ought
           not
           such
           instructions
           to
           be
           greatly
           desired
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           such
           could
           be
           found
           to
           be
           highly
           esteemed
           ,
           and
           diligently
           perused
           ?
           Surely
           thou
           wilt
           say
           ,
           that
           coming
           from
           so
           great
           a
           Doctour
           ,
           and
           being
           so
           proper
           and
           necessary
           fot
           these
           times
           ,
           without
           doubt
           they
           ought
           .
           Why
           then
           Learned
           Reader
           ,
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           pre●ent
           unto
           thee
           a
           learned
           Treatise
           of
           his
           ,
           which
           he
           sent
           unto
           his
           dear
           and
           learned
           friend
           
             Honoratus
             ,
          
           to
           draw
           him
           from
           the
           Manichean
           her●sie
           to
           the
           true
           Religion
           ;
           I
           durst
           not
           presume
           to
           tender
           it
           unto
           thee
           in
           this
           poor
           English
           habit
           ,
           were
           I
           not
           confident
           that
           thou
           seekest
           more
           after
           the
           true
           Religion
           and
           the
           saving
           of
           
           thy
           soul
           ,
           then
           after
           vain
           eloquence
           ,
           &
           the
           
             entising
             words
             of
             humane
             wisdome
             ;
          
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           2.
           4.
           but
           I
           will
           assure
           thee
           ,
           under
           this
           poore
           attire
           thou
           wilt
           find
           a
           rich
           and
           a
           learned
           discourse
           of
           great
           S.
           
             Augustine
             ,
          
           not
           onely
           very
           profitable
           for
           those
           that
           are
           not
           yet
           resolved
           in
           point
           of
           Religion
           ,
           but
           also
           for
           them
           that
           dere
           to
           be
           satisfied
           whither
           the
           faith
           and
           Religion
           which
           they
           embrace
           ,
           be
           true
           or
           no
           .
           If
           the
           stile
           be
           displeasing
           and
           ungratefull
           unto
           thee
           ,
           know
           that
           very
           many
           of
           the
           African
           Fathers
           have
           harsh
           stiles
           ,
           besides
           consider
           how
           hard
           a
           matter
           it
           is
           to
           teach
           a
           native
           African
           to
           speak
           true
           English
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           work
           ,
           first
           he
           shews
           how
           the
           old
           Testament
           is
           to
           be
           expou●ded
           ,
           and
           defends
           the
           Authority
           or
           it
           against
           the
           Manichees
           that
           rejected
           it
           .
           Secondly
           he
           overthrowes
           that
           Manichean
           principle
           .
           That
           nothing
           
           is
           to
           be
           believed
           in
           point
           of
           Faith
           which
           is
           not
           first
           by
           reason
           made
           manife●t
           and
           evident
           unto
           the
           Believer
           .
           In
           the
           third
           place
           he
           adviseth
           ●ervent
           and
           frequent
           prayer
           ,
           peace
           and
           tranquility
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           a
           sequestration
           of
           affections
           from
           terrene
           things
           ,
           as
           aids
           necessary
           ●or
           the
           finding
           out
           the
           truth
           :
           then
           declaring
           that
           Christ
           hath
           raised
           a
           very
           great
           and
           a
           famous
           Church
           consisting
           of
           all
           Nations
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           continue
           very
           visible
           and
           conspicuous
           even
           to
           the
           worlds
           end
           ,
           he
           exhorts
           
             Honoratus
          
           to
           addresse
           himself
           unto
           the
           Pastours
           and
           Teachers
           thereof
           ,
           and
           to
           learn
           of
           them
           the
           true
           faith
           and
           Religion
           .
        
         
           This
           way
           of
           proceeding
           to
           find
           out
           the
           truth
           ,
           is
           far
           more
           short
           and
           easie
           then
           by
           the
           examination
           of
           all
           the
           points
           of
           controverted
           doctrine
           by
           their
           conformity
           to
           the
           holy
           Scrip●ures
           ,
           for
           it
           consists
           in
           two
           points
           
           onely
           ,
           first
           ,
           in
           seeking
           out
           which
           of
           all
           the
           Churches
           is
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           secondly
           ,
           whither
           this
           Church
           can
           erre
           or
           no
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           finding
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           S.
           
             Augustine
          
           proposed
           four
           marks
           unto
           
             Honoratus
             ,
          
           Unity
           ,
           Universality
           ,
           Sanctity
           ,
           and
           Apostolicall
           Succession
           ,
           the
           which
           are
           set
           down
           very
           plainly
           in
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Unity
             of
             the
             Church
             is
             twofold
             ,
             in
             body
             ,
             and
             in
             faith
             ;
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             first
             ,
             our
             Saviour
             faith
             ,
             his
             Church
             is
          
           one
           fold
           
             and
             hath
          
           one
           shepheard
           Joh.
           
             10.
             16.
             and
             the
             Apostle
             calls
             it
          
           one
           body
           ,
           
             1
          
           Cor.
           
             12.
             13.
             
             In
             respect
             of
             the
             second
             ,
             S.
          
           Paul
           
             earnestly
             exhorted
             the
             Corinthians
             ,
             1
          
           Cor.
           
             1.
             10.
          
           to
           speak
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           and
           that
           there
           be
           no
           division
           amongst
           them
           :
           but
           that
           they
           be
           perfectly
           joyned
           together
           in
           the
           same
           mind
           and
           in
           the
           same
           judg●ment
           :
           
             and
             he
             beseeched
             the
             Ephesians
          
           to
           endeavour
           
           to
           keep
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           spirit
           in
           the
           bond
           of
           peace
           ,
           Ephes.
           
             4●
             3
             ,
             4●
             5.
             affirming
             that
             there
             is
          
           one
           body
           and
           one
           spirit
           ,
           one
           hope
           of
           their
           calling
           ,
           one
           Lord
           one
           Faith
           ,
           one
           Baptisme
           ;
           
             and
             the
             Scripture
             testifieth
             that
             in
             the
             Apostles
             dayes
          
           the
           multitude
           of
           Believers
           were
           of
           one
           heart
           and
           of
           one
           soul
           .
           
             Acts
             4.
             32.
             
          
        
         
           
             The
             Universality
             of
             the
             Church
             is
             also
             twofold
             ,
             in
             time
             and
             in
             place
             ;
             this
             later
             was
             foretold
             by
             the
             Prophet
          
           Moses
           
             relating
             Gods
             promise
             made
             to
          
           Abraham
           
             of
             an
             ample
             posterity
             ,
             and
          
           that
           all
           the
           nations
           of
           the
           earth
           should
           be
           blessed
           in
           his
           seed
           :
           Gen.
           
             22.
             18.
             
          
           Gal.
           
             3.
             8.
             by
             the
             Royall
             Psalmist●declaring
             that
             God
             the
             Father
             would
             give
             unto
             his
             Son
          
           the
           heathen
           for
           his
           inheritance
           ,
           and
           the
           uttermost
           part
           of
           the
           earth
           for
           his
           possession
           ,
           Psal.
           
             2.
             8.
             and
          
           that
           he
           should
           have
           dominion
           from
           sea
           to
           sea
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           River
           to
           the
           ends
           
           of
           the
           earth
           :
           
             Psal.
             72.
             8.
             and
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Isaiah
             ,
             affirming
          
           that
           all
           nations
           shall
           flow
           to
           the
           mountain
           of
           the
           Lords
           house
           ,
           
             Isa.
             2.
             v.
             2.
             
             For
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             these
             Prophecies
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             declared
             ,
             Luke
             24.
             v.
             44.
             that
          
           all
           things
           must
           be
           fulfilled
           which
           were
           written
           in
           the
           law
           of
           Moses
           ,
           ●nd
           in
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Psalm●s
           ,
           concerning
           him
           :
           
             and
             v.
             47.
             that
          
           repentance
           and
           remission
           of
           sinnes
           ,
           should
           be
           preached
           in
           his
           name
           among
           all
           nations
           ,
           beginning
           at
           Jerusalem
           ;
           
             and
             for
             the
             performance
             hereof
             ,
             he
             gave
             a
             commission
             unto
             his
             Apostles
             to
          
           teach
           all
           nations
           ,
           
             Matth.
             28.
             19.
             and
          
           to
           preach
           the
           Gospel
           to
           every
           creature
           ,
           
             Mar.
             19.
             v.
             15.
             
          
        
         
           
             That
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             should
             be
             universall
             for
             time
             ,
             and
             continue
             perpetually
             unto
             the
             worlds
             end
             ,
             it
             was
             plainly
             foretold
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Isaiah
             ,
             who
             speaking
             of
             our
             B.
             Saviour
             ,
             
             saith
             ,
          
           that
           of
           the
           encrease
           of
           his
           government
           and
           peace
           there
           shall
           be
           no
           end
           .
           Vpon
           the
           throne
           of
           David●
           and
           upon
           his
           kingdome
           shall
           he
           sit
           to
           order
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           establish
           it
           wit●
           judgement
           ,
           and
           with
           justice
           from
           henceforth
           even
           for
           ever
           ;
           
             and
             that
             no
             doubt
             may
             be
             made
             of
             the
             performance
             hereof
             ,
             the
             Prophet
             add●s
             ,
          
           the
           zeal
           of
           the
           Lord
           of
           Hosts
           will
           perform
           this
           .
           
             And
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Daniel
             affirming
             that
          
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           those
           Kings
           shall
           the
           ●o●
           of
           heav●n
           set
           up
           a
           k
           ngdome
           which
           shall
           not
           be
           left
           to
           other
           people
           ,
           but
           it
           shall
           break
           in
           pieces
           and
           consume
           all
           those
           kingdomes
           ,
           and
           it
           shall
           stand
           for
           ever
           ,
           
             Dan.
             2.
             44.
             
             All
             which
             was
             confirmed
             by
             the
             Angel
             Gabriel
             ,
             saying
             ,
          
           The
           Lord
           shall
           give
           unto
           Christ
           the
           throne
           of
           his
           Father
           David
           and
           he
           shall
           reign
           over
           the
           house
           of
           Jacob
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           kingdome
           there
           shall
           be
           no
           end
           ,
           
             Luke
             1.
             ver.
             32
             ,
             33.
             
             For
             the
             
             perpetuall
             settlement
             and
             establishing
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             Christ
             said
             unto
             S.
             Peter
             :
          
           Vpon
           this
           rock
           I
           will
           build
           my
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           gates
           of
           hell
           shall
           not
           prevail
           against
           it
           ,
           
             Matth.
             16.
             18.
             
             Touching
             the
             sanctity
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             God
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Ezekiel
             saith
             ,
          
           I
           will
           set
           my
           sanctuary
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           them
           for
           evermore
           :
           and
           the
           heathen
           shall
           know
           that
           I
           the
           Lord
           do
           sanctifi●
           Israel
           ,
           when
           my
           sanctuary
           shall
           be
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           them
           for
           evermore
           ,
           
             Ezek
             .
             37.
             v.
             26
             ,
             28.
             and
             by
             the
             Prophet
             Malachi
             ,
             Mal.
             1.
             11.
             
          
           From
           the
           rising
           of
           the
           sunne
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           going
           down
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           my
           name
           shall
           be
           great
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           :
           and
           in
           every
           place
           incense
           shall
           be
           offered
           ●nto
           my
           name
           ,
           and
           a
           peace-offering
           .
           
             Unto
             this
             sanctity
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             exhorts
             us
             ,
             saying
             ,
          
           Let
           your
           light
           so
           shine
           before
           men
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           see
           your
           good
           works
           ,
           and
           glorifie
           your
           
           Father
           which
           is
           in
           heaven
           ,
           
             Matth.
             5.
             16.
             and
             Mark
             7.
             v.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
          
           Enter
           ye
           in
           at
           the
           strait
           gate
           ,
           for
           strait
           is
           the
           gate
           ,
           and
           narrow
           the
           way
           ,
           which
           leadeth
           unto
           life
           ,
           and
           few
           there
           be
           that
           find
           it
           .
           
             And
             teaching
             how
             to
             distinguish
             the
             good
             from
             the
             bad
             ,
             he
             saith
             ,
             v.
             20.
             
          
           By
           their
           fruits
           ye
           shall
           know
           them
           .
           
             As
             for
             Apostolicall
             succession
             ,
             S.
             Paul
             saith
             ,
             Ephes.
             4.
             v.
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             that
          
           Christ
           gave
           some
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           some
           Prophets
           :
           and
           some
           Evangelists
           ,
           and
           some
           Pastours
           and
           teachers
           ,
           for
           the
           perfecti●g
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           for
           the
           work
           of
           the
           ministery
           ,
           for
           the
           edifying
           of
           the
           body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           till
           we
           ●ll
           come
           into
           the
           unity
           of
           faith
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           Son
           ne
           of
           God
           ,
           unto
           a
           perfect
           man
           ,
           unto
           the
           measure
           of
           the
           stature
           of
           the
           fulnesse
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             that
             is
             ,
             (
             as
             Doctour
          
           Fulk
           
             against
             the
             Rhem.
             Test
             .
             in
             Ephes.
             4.
             sect.
             4.
             fol.
             335.
             and
             Mr.
          
           Calvin
           
             in
             his
             Instit.
             
             cap.
             8.
          
           de
           fide
           ,
           
             sect.
             37
             ,
             38.
             pag.
             233.
             234.
             do
             expound
             )
             for
             ever
             .
          
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           second
           point
           ,
           whether
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           can
           erre
           or
           no
           ,
           S
           ,
           
             Augustine
          
           saith
           ,
           that
           neither
           the
           violence
           of
           heathens
           ,
           nor
           the
           subtilty
           of
           hereticks
           can
           overthrow
           it
           ,
           which
           agrees
           with
           our
           Savionrs
           promise
           ,
           Matth.
           16.
           18●
           that
           
             the
             gates
             of
             hell
             shall
             not
             prevail
             against
             it
             ;
          
           and
           ,
           to
           preserve
           her
           from
           all
           errour
           and
           heresie
           ,
           
             Christ
             promised
             to
             be
             alwayes
             with
             her
             even
             to
             the
             worlds
             end
             ,
          
           Matth.
           28.
           20.
           and
           God
           made
           this
           covenant
           with
           her
           :
           Isa.
           59.
           21.
           
           
             My
             spirit
             that
             is
             upon
             thee
             ,
             and
             my
             words
             which
             I
             have
             put
             in
             thy
             mouth
             ,
             shall
             not
             depart
             out
             of
             thy
             mouth
             ,
             ●or
             out
             of
             the
             mouth
             of
             thy
             seed
             ,
             nor
             out
             of
             the
             mouth
             of
             thy
             seeds
             seed
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             from
             henceforth
             and
             for
             ever
             ;
          
           by
           which
           words
           (
           saith
           Mr.
           
             Calvin
          
           in
           Comment
           .
           hujus
           loci
           )
           
             God
             promiseth
             that
             the
             Church
             shall
             never
             
             be
             deprived
             of
             this
             inestimable
             benefit
             ,
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             suported
             by
             heavenly
             doctrine
             :
          
           and
           to
           this
           effect
           he
           sent
           down
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
             to
             teach
             the
             Church
             all
             truth
             and
             to
             remain
             with
             her
             for
             ever
             ,
          
           Joh.
           16.
           13.
           
           Joh.
           14.
           16.
           
           Thus
           thou
           seest
           how
           S.
           
             Augustines
          
           instructions
           for
           finding
           out
           the
           truth
           are
           grounded
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           but
           more
           expressely
           in
           S.
           
             Pauls
          
           doctrine
           ,
           who
           tells
           us
           ,
           Rom.
           10.
           17.
           that
           faith
           
             cometh
             by
             hearing
             ,
             and
             hearing
             is
             by
             the
             word
             of
             God
             ;
          
           if
           we
           ask
           him
           how
           men
           may
           come
           to
           hea●e
           the
           word
           of
           God●
           he
           answers
           ,
           v.
           14
           ,
           15.
           
           
             How
             shall
             they
             hear
             without
             a
             preacher
             ?
             and
             how
             shall
             they
             preach
             unlesse
             they
             be
             sent
             ?
          
           So
           that
           faith
           is
           bred
           in
           men
           by
           hearing
           and
           believing
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           made
           known
           unto
           them
           by
           preachers
           lawfully
           sent
           :
           which
           preachers
           (
           as
           he
           saith
           to
           the
           Ephesians
           )
           Ephes.
           
           4.
           v.
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13.
           are
           alwayes
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           are
           placed
           there
           ,
           ver.
           14.
           that
           
             from
             henceforth
             we
             be
             no
             more
             children
             tossed
             to
             fro
             ,
             and
             carried
             about
             with
             every
             wind
             of
             doctrine
             by
             the
             sleighs
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             cunning
             craftinesse
             whereby
             they
             lie
             in
             wait
             to
             deceive
             ;
          
           which
           is
           an
           office
           that
           cannot
           be
           performed
           by
           men
           that
           are
           frail
           and
           subject
           to
           errour
           ,
           unles
           the
           Lord
           by
           his
           divine
           assistance
           ,
           doth
           preserve
           them
           from
           erring
           .
           Doctour
           
             Field
          
           having
           considered
           the
           facility
           and
           solidity
           of
           this
           method
           ,
           doth
           advise
           all
           those
           to
           practise
           it
           ,
           that
           desire
           to
           be
           satisfied
           in
           matters
           of
           Religion
           in
           these
           terms
           ,
           Epist.
           dedic.
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           
             Seeing
             the
             controversies
             in
             our
             time
             are
             grown
             in
             number
             so
             many
             and
             in
             nature
             so
             intricate
             ,
             that
             few
             have
             time
             and
             leisure
             ,
             fewer
             strength
             of
             understanding
             to
             examine
             them
             :
             what
             remaineth
             for
             men
             desirous
             of
             
             satisfaction
             in
             things
             of
             such
             consequence
             ,
             but
             diligently
             to
             search
             out
             ,
             which
             amongst
             all
             the
             societies
             of
             men
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             is
             that
             blessed
             company
             of
             holy
             ones
             ,
             that
             houshold
             of
             faith
             ,
             that
             Spouse
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             Church
             of
             the
             living
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             pillar
             and
             ground
             of
             truth
             :
             that
             so
             they
             may
             embrace
             her
             communion
             ,
             follow
             her
             directions
             ,
             and
             rest
             in
             her
             judgement
             ?
          
           Now
           that
           thou
           maist
           be
           the
           better
           able
           to
           follow
           this
           wholesome
           counsell
           ,
           let
           me
           advise
           thee
           with
           care
           and
           diligence
           to
           peruse
           this
           e●suing
           treatise
           ,
           and
           that
           thou
           maist
           ●eceive
           much
           benefit
           thereby
           for
           thy
           souls
           health
           ,
           thou
           hast
           already
           the
           prayers
           of
           S.
           
             Augustine
             ,
          
           and
           thou
           s●alt
           have
           the
           hearty
           wishes
           and
           desires
           of
        
         
           
             
               Thy
               charitable
               Welwisher
               .
            
             A.
             P.
             
          
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           TABLE
           .
        
         
           
             
               Chap.
               I.
            
             HOW
             S.
             Augustine
             came
             to
             be
             de●eived
             by
             the
             Manichees
             .
             
               Page
               .
               1.
               
            
          
           
             
               II.
            
             That
             the
             Manichees
             do
             condemn
             the
             old
             Testament
             .
             
               11
            
          
           
             
               III.
            
             Of
             the
             four
             wayes
             of
             expounding
             the
             old
             Testament
             .
             
               15
            
          
           
             
               IV.
            
             3.
             ways
             whereby
             men
             fall
             into
             errour
             .
             
               31
            
          
           
             
               V●
            
             Of
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             .
             
               37
            
          
           
             
               VI
               .
            
             That
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             is
             first
             to
             be
             loved
             before
             it
             can
             be
             learned
             
               4●
            
          
           
             
               VII●
            
             Th●t
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             judge
             rashly
             of
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             :
             and
             how
             ,
             and
             with
             what
             care
             and
             diligence
             the
             trve
             religion
             is
             to
             be
             sought
             for
             .
             
               49
            
          
           
             
               VIII
               .
            
             Of
             the
             way
             to
             the
             instruction
             of
             piety
             :
             and
             of
             the
             wonderfull
             pains
             S.
             Augustine
             took
             to
             find
             it
             out
             .
             
               63
            
          
           
             
               IX
               .
            
             Of
             Credulity
             .
             
               68
            
          
           
             
               X.
            
             Why
             Credulity
             is
             the
             w●y
             to
             Religion
             
               75
            
          
           
             
               XI
               .
            
             Of
             under
             standing
             ,
             belief●
             and
             opinion
             
               83
            
          
           
             
               XII
               .
            
             That
             it
             is
             the
             safest
             w●y
             to
             believe
             wise
             men
             .
             
               93
            
          
           
             
               XIII
               .
            
             That
             Religion
             takes
             her
             beginning
             from
             believing
             .
             
               98
            
          
           
             
               XIV
               .
            
             That
             Christ
             chiefly
             exacted
             belief
             
               104
            
          
           
             
               XV
               .
            
             Of
             the
             most
             commodious
             way
             to
             Religion
             .
             
               114
            
          
           
             
               XVI
               .
            
             That
             miracles
             do
             procure
             belief
             .
             
               117
            
          
           
             
               XVII
               .
            
             The
             con●sent
             of
             nations
             be●●eving
             in
             Christ
             .
             
               124
            
          
           
             
               XVIII
               .
            
             The
             conclusion
             by
             way
             of
             ex●ortat●●n
             .
             
               129
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           The
           Profit
           of
           Believing
           .
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             I.
             
          
           
             How
             Saint
             Augustine
             came
             to
             be
             deceived
             by
             the
             Manichees
             .
          
           
             O
             Honoratus
             ,
          
           
             IF
             any
             Heretick
             ,
             and
             a
             man
             believing
             Hereticks
             did
             seem
             unto
             me
             to
             be
             one
             and
             the
             same
             thing
             ;
             I
             should
             think
             fit
             to
             be
             silent
             at
             this
             present
             ,
             and
             to
             abstain
             both
             from
             speaking
             and
             writing
             in
             this
             cause
             :
             But
             now
             whereas
             they
             do
             verymuch
             differ
             
               (
               For
               he
               is
               an
               Heretick
               (
               according
               to
               my
               opinion
               )
               who
               for
               some
               temporall
               
               benefit
               ,
               and
               chiefly
               for
               glory
               and
               his
               own
               preferment
               ,
               either
               broacheth
               or
               followeth
               false
               and
               new
               Opinions
               :
               but
               a
               man
               believing
               Hereticks
               ,
               is
               one
               that
               is
               del●ded
               with
               a
               certain
               imagination
               of
               Piety
               and
               Truth
               )
            
             I
             held
             it
             to
             be
             my
             duty
             to
             deliver
             thee
             my
             opinion
             ,
             touching
             the
             finding
             out
             and
             embracing
             the
             Truth
             ,
             with
             the
             love
             whereof
             we
             have
             both
             (
             as
             thou
             knowest
             )
             been
             greatly
             enflamed
             even
             from
             our
             youths
             .
             Truth
             is
             a
             thing
             farre
             differing
             from
             that
             which
             vain
             men
             do
             conceive
             ,
             who
             having
             too
             deeply
             lettled
             their
             affections
             upo●
             these
             bod●ly
             and
             corporall
             things
             ,
             do
             hold
             and
             imagine
             it
             to
             be
             nothing
             else
             ,
             but
             what
             they
             do
             perceive
             and
             discer●
             by
             those
             five
             most
             known
             Messengers
             of
             the
             Body
             :
             and
             they
             tosse
             to
             and
             f●o
             and
             rerevolve
             in
             their
             minds
             the
             impressions
             and
             
             images
             which
             they
             have
             received
             from
             these
             things
             ,
             even
             when
             they
             endeavour
             to
             disbeliev●
             their
             senses
             :
             and
             by
             a
             deadly
             and
             a
             most
             deceitfull
             rule
             taken
             from
             thence
             ,
             they
             think
             that
             they
             do
             frame
             a
             right
             and
             perfect
             judgement
             of
             the
             ine●●fable
             Secrets
             and
             Mysteries
             of
             Faith
             .
             There
             is
             nothing
             more
             easie
             (
             my
             most
             dear
             friend
             )
             then
             for
             a
             man
             not
             onely
             to
             say
             ,
             but
             also
             to
             think
             that
             he
             hath
             found
             out
             the
             Truth
             :
             but
             how
             extream
             hard
             it
             is
             to
             find
             it
             out
             indeed
             ,
             thou
             wilt
             (
             as
             I
             hope
             )
             acknowledge
             and
             confesse
             upon
             the
             perusall
             of
             these
             my
             writings
             ;
             which
             that
             they
             may
             prove
             beneficiall
             unto
             thee
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             not
             hurtfull
             ,
             and
             unto
             all
             those
             into
             whose
             hands
             they
             may
             chance
             to
             light
             ,
             I
             have
             beseeched
             the
             divine
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             I
             do
             beseech
             him
             ,
             and
             I
             hope
             it
             will
             come
             to
             passe
             ,
             if
             mine
             own
             conscience
             can
             
             but
             bear
             me
             witnesse
             that
             I
             came
             to
             write
             them
             not
             with
             a
             desire
             of
             vain
             renown
             or
             frivolous
             ostentation
             ,
             but
             with
             a
             pious
             and
             a
             serviceable
             mind
             .
             My
             intent
             therefore
             i●
             to
             prove
             unto
             thee
             ,
             if
             I
             can
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             sacrilegiously
             and
             rashly
             done
             of
             the
             Manichees
             ,
             to
             speak
             bitter
             words
             and
             inveigh
             against
             those
             ,
             who
             following
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             Catholick
             faith●
             are
             fortified
             and
             strengthened
             befo●ehand
             by
             believing
             ,
             and
             are
             prepared
             to
             receive
             the
             light
             of
             the
             Divine
             grace
             ,
             before
             they
             can
             behold
             that
             Verity
             and
             Truth
             which
             is
             seen
             and
             beheld
             with
             a
             pure
             and
             clean
             mind
             .
             For
             thou
             knowest
             ,
             O
             
               Honoratus
               ,
            
             that
             we
             put
             our selves
             into
             the
             company
             of
             such
             men
             for
             no
             other
             cause
             ,
             but
             for
             that
             they
             said
             ,
             that
             ,
             the
             terrour
             of
             authority
             being
             set
             aside
             ,
             they
             would
             with
             plain
             and
             admirable
             reasons
             bring
             their
             hearers
             and
             followers
             unto
             God
             ,
             and
             free
             them
             
             from
             all
             errour
             .
             For
             what
             else
             was
             it
             that
             enforced
             me
             to
             follow
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             hearken
             to
             them
             attentively
             ,
             almost
             for
             the
             space
             of
             nine
             years
             ,
             having
             despised
             and
             contemned
             the
             religion
             which
             by
             my
             parents
             was
             ingraffed
             in
             me
             ,
             being
             a
             little
             child
             ,
             but
             for
             that
             they
             affirmed
             that
             we
             are
             terrified
             with
             superstition
             ,
             and
             commanded
             to
             believe
             ,
             before
             any
             reason
             is
             given
             us
             of
             belief
             :
             and
             that
             they
             importune
             and
             urge
             none
             to
             believe
             ,
             untill
             the
             truth
             be
             first
             discussed
             and
             made
             manifest
             unto
             them
             ;
             who
             would
             not
             be
             allured
             with
             these
             promises
             ?
             especially
             the
             mind
             of
             a
             young
             man
             desirous
             of
             truth
             ,
             a
             babler
             ,
             and
             one
             that
             was
             puffed
             up
             with
             pride
             upon
             ●isputations
             had
             with
             some
             skilfull
             and
             learned
             Schoolmen
             :
             and
             such
             an
             one
             they
             found
             me
             then
             to
             be
             ,
             namely
             ,
             who
             despised
             
               (
               my
               former
               religion
               )
            
             like
             old
             wives
             tales
             ,
             and
             desired
             to
             embrac●
             
             and
             with
             greedinesse
             to
             receive
             the
             manifest
             and
             sincere
             Truth
             which
             they
             promised
             to
             teach
             and
             deliver
             .
             But
             again
             ,
             what
             reason
             withdrew
             me
             and
             called
             me
             back
             that
             I
             did
             not
             wholly
             adhere
             u●to
             th●m
             ,
             but
             kept
             my self
             in
             the
             degree
             of
             Hear●●s
             ,
             as
             they
             use
             to
             call
             them
             ,
             and
             did
             ●ot
             forgo
             the
             hopes
             and
             affairs
             which
             I
             had
             in
             this
             world
             ;
             but
             for
             that
             I
             also
             noted
             and
             observed
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             more
             eloquent
             and
             copious
             i●
             consuting
             others
             ,
             then
             firm
             and
             certain
             in
             proving●
             and
             maintaining
             their
             own
             grounds
             ?
             But
             what
             shall
             I
             say
             of
             my self
             ,
             who
             was
             now
             become
             a
             Catholick
             Christian
             :
             who
             being
             almost
             exhausted
             and
             greedy
             after
             a
             very
             long
             thirst
             ,
             was
             now
             with
             an
             ardent
             affection
             returned
             again
             to
             the
             breasts
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             I
             shaked
             and
             wrung
             ,
             much
             weeping
             and
             lamenting
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             I
             might
             not
             onely
             draw
             from
             thence
             
             sufficient
             comfort
             for
             my
             misery
             and
             a●fliction
             ,
             but
             might
             also
             recover
             my
             former
             hope
             of
             life
             and
             salvation
             ?
             What
             then
             shall
             I
             say
             of
             my self
             ?
             And
             as
             for
             thee
             ,
             thou
             didest
             so
             vehemently
             hate
             and
             detest
             them
             ,
             that
             I
             could
             hardly
             draw
             thee
             by
             entreaties
             and
             exhortations
             to
             hearken
             unto
             them
             and
             try
             them
             :
             and
             when
             thou
             hea●dest
             them
             ,
             with
             what
             other
             thing
             I
             pray
             thee
             we●t
             thou
             taken
             and
             delighted
             (
             for
             I
             beseech
             thee
             ,
             call
             it
             to
             remembrance
             )
             but
             with
             a
             certain
             great
             presumption
             and
             promise
             of
             reasons
             ?
             But
             because
             for
             a
             long
             time
             they
             made
             many
             large
             and
             vehement
             discourses
             touching
             the
             errours
             of
             un●k●●full
             men
             (
             which
             every
             one
             that
             is
             but
             meanly
             learned
             can
             easily
             do
             )
             it
             was
             late
             before
             I
             came
             to
             the
             knowledge
             thereof
             .
             And
             if
             they
             delivered
             any
             thing
             unto
             us
             out
             of
             their
             own
             men
             ,
             we
             thought
             there
             was
             a
             necessity
             to
             receive
             and
             embrace
             
             it
             ,
             when
             as
             other
             things
             up
             on
             which
             we
             might
             rely
             ,
             occurred
             not
             :
             wherein
             they
             dealt
             with
             us
             as
             deceitfull
             Fowlers
             are
             wont
             to
             do
             ,
             who
             prick
             down
             limetwigs
             by
             a
             waters
             side
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             they
             may
             deceive
             the
             thirsty
             Birds
             :
             for
             they
             stop
             up
             ,
             and
             by
             some
             means
             or
             other
             they
             cover
             the
             other
             waters
             that
             are
             thereabouts
             :
             or
             they
             drive
             the
             birds
             from
             thence
             with
             frights
             and
             fears
             ,
             that
             not
             by
             their
             own
             free
             choise
             and
             election
             ,
             but
             meerly
             for
             necessity
             and
             want
             of
             water
             they
             may
             fall
             into
             their
             snares
             .
             But
             why
             do
             I
             not
             return
             this
             answer
             to
             my self
             ,
             that
             such
             neat
             and
             pretty
             similitudes
             as
             these
             ,
             and
             such
             like
             reprehensions
             may
             be
             both
             most
             civilly
             and
             most
             snappishly
             objected
             by
             any
             enemy
             or
             adversary
             whatsoever
             ,
             against
             all
             those
             that
             deliver
             any
             thing
             by
             teaching
             or
             instruction
             ?
             But
             yet
             for
             this
             cause
             I
             thought
             it
             necessary
             to
             
             insert
             some
             such
             thing
             into
             these
             my
             writings
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             warn
             and
             admonish
             them
             thereby
             to
             leave
             off
             all
             such
             manner
             of
             proceedings
             :
             to
             the
             end
             that
             (
             as
             a
             certain
             man
             said
             )
             the
             toyes
             of
             common
             places
             being
             set
             aside
             ,
             one
             thing
             may
             contend
             and
             strive
             with
             another
             ,
             one
             cause
             with
             another
             ,
             one
             reason
             with
             another
             :
             wherefore
             let
             them
             forbear
             to
             say
             ,
             what
             they
             hold
             in
             a
             manner
             necessary
             to
             be
             spoken
             ,
             when
             any
             one
             forsakes
             them
             that
             hath
             long
             been
             their
             hearer
             ,
             The
             light
             is
             passed
             through
             him
             .
             For
             thou
             my
             greatest
             care
             (
             for
             I
             am
             not
             too
             solicitous
             for
             them
             )
             seest
             how
             vain
             a
             thing
             this
             is
             ,
             and
             how
             easie
             a
             matter
             it
             is
             for
             any
             one
             to
             blame
             and
             reprehend
             it
             ;
             this
             therefore
             I
             leave
             to
             thy
             wisdome
             to
             be
             discussed
             .
             For
             I
             am
             not
             afraid
             le●t
             thou
             shouldest
             think
             that
             I
             was
             deprived
             of
             light
             ,
             when
             I
             was
             entangled
             with
             a
             worldly
             life
             ,
             and
             had
             a
             
             remote
             and
             obscure
             hope
             of
             a
             beautifull
             wife
             ,
             of
             the
             pomp
             of
             riches
             ,
             of
             the
             vanity
             of
             honours
             ,
             and
             of
             other
             hurtfull
             and
             pernicious
             pleasures
             :
             for
             I
             ceased
             not
             to
             desire
             and
             hope
             for
             all
             these
             things
             (
             as
             thou
             knowest
             right
             well
             )
             when
             I
             was
             their
             follower
             and
             heard
             them
             attentively
             :
             not
             do
             I
             attribute
             this
             to
             their
             doctrine●
             for
             I
             confesse
             they
             diligently
             warned
             and
             admonished
             me
             to
             beware
             of
             these
             things
             :
             but
             to
             say
             that
             I
             am
             now
             desti●ute
             of
             light
             ,
             when
             as
             I
             have
             al●enated
             and
             withdrawn
             my self
             from
             all
             these
             shadows
             and
             ●emblances
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             have
             resolved
             to
             content
             my self
             with
             such
             food
             onely
             ,
             as
             may
             seem
             necessary
             to
             the
             health
             of
             my
             body
             :
             and
             that
             I
             was
             enlightned
             and
             shining
             before
             ,
             when
             I
             was
             addicted
             unto
             those
             things
             and
             was
             intangled
             with
             them
             ,
             is
             the
             part
             of
             a
             man
             (
             to
             speak
             in
             the
             mildest
             manner
             )
             who
             lesse
             con●iderately
             
             ponders
             the
             things
             of
             which
             he
             much
             desires
             to
             talk
             and
             discourse
             .
             But
             if
             you
             please
             let
             us
             come
             to
             the
             matter
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             II.
             
          
           
             That
             the
             Manichees
             do
             condemn
             the
             old
             Testament
             .
          
           
             THou
             art
             not
             ignorant
             how
             the
             Manichees
             reprehending
             the
             Catholick
             Faith
             ,
             and
             especially
             renting
             and
             tearing
             in
             pieces
             the
             old
             Testament
             ,
             do
             move
             and
             disturb
             the
             unskilfull
             people
             :
             who
             truly
             know
             not
             how
             those
             things
             are
             to
             be
             understood
             ,
             and
             how
             being
             taken
             they
             may
             profitably
             descend
             and
             be
             conveyed
             into
             the
             veins
             and
             marrow
             of
             tender
             souls
             .
             And
             because
             there
             occurre
             certain
             things
             in
             those
             books
             which
             may
             give
             some
             offence
             to
             those
             that
             are
             ignorant
             and
             carelesse
             of
             themselves
             (
             as
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             the
             common
             people
             is
             )
             they
             may
             be
             
             plausibly
             reprehended
             and
             blamed
             ,
             but
             cannot
             be
             plausibly
             defended
             by
             many
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             mysteries
             which
             are
             contained
             therein
             ;
             and
             those
             few
             that
             can
             do
             it
             ,
             affect
             not
             publick
             and
             open
             conflicts
             whereby
             to
             divulge
             their
             fame
             and
             renown
             ,
             and
             for
             this
             cause
             they
             are
             not
             known
             at
             all
             but
             unto
             those
             onely
             ,
             who
             with
             much
             care
             and
             diligence
             do
             seek
             and
             enquire
             after
             them
             :
             wherefore
             touching
             this
             rashnesse
             of
             the
             Manichees
             ,
             in
             reprehending
             the
             Old
             Testament
             and
             the
             Catholick
             Faith
             ,
             hear
             I
             beseech
             thee
             ,
             the
             things
             which
             move
             and
             trouble
             me
             ;
             the
             which
             I
             desire
             and
             hope
             that
             thou
             wilt
             receive
             with
             such
             an
             hearty
             mind
             and
             good
             will
             as
             by
             me
             they
             are
             delivered
             and
             spoken
             ;
             for
             God
             ,
             unto
             whom
             the
             secrets
             of
             my
             conscience
             lie
             open
             and
             are
             manifest
             ,
             knows
             ,
             that
             I
             deal
             not
             malitiously
             in
             this
             speech
             ,
             but
             as
             I
             conceive
             ,
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             understood
             
             in
             proof
             of
             the
             truth
             ,
             unto
             which
             long
             since
             I
             have
             addicted
             my self
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             an
             incredible
             care
             and
             solicitude
             ,
             lest
             I
             should
             erre
             and
             go
             astray
             with
             you
             ,
             which
             I
             may
             easily
             do
             ;
             when
             as
             to
             hold
             the
             same
             course
             with
             you●
             and
             yet
             to
             embrace
             and
             keep
             the
             right
             way
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             matter
             (
             not
             to
             speak
             too
             harshly
             )
             of
             extream
             difficultie
             .
             But
             I
             presume
             that
             even
             in
             this
             hope
             which
             I
             have
             of
             your
             attaining
             together
             with
             me
             unto
             the
             way
             of
             wisdome
             ,
             he
             ,
             unto
             whom
             I
             have
             consecrated
             my self
             ,
             will
             not
             leave
             nor
             forsake
             me
             :
             when
             dayes
             and
             nights
             I
             endeavour
             to
             behold
             :
             and
             for
             that
             I
             perceive
             my self
             to
             be
             weak
             and
             infirm
             ,
             by
             reason
             that
             the
             eye
             of
             my
             soul
             is
             for
             my
             sinnes
             ,
             and
             the
             custome
             thereof
             wounded
             with
             the
             stripes
             of
             inveterate
             opinions
             ,
             I
             beg
             it
             oftentimes
             with
             weeping
             and
             tears
             ,
             and
             as
             it
             happeneth
             unto
             mens
             eyes
             ,
             which
             after
             
             the
             sufferance
             of
             a
             long
             blindnesse
             and
             d●rknesse
             are
             hardly
             open
             :
             they
             have
             a
             great
             desire
             to
             see
             light
             ,
             and
             yet
             by
             their
             twinckling
             and
             turning
             away
             ,
             they
             refuse
             to
             behold
             it
             ,
             especially
             if
             any
             one
             should
             endeavour
             to
             expose
             them
             to
             the
             light
             of
             the
             Sun
             :
             so
             it
             falls
             out
             with
             me
             at
             the
             pre●ent
             ,
             for
             I
             acknowledge
             that
             there
             is
             a
             certain
             unspeakable
             and
             singular
             good
             of
             the
             soul
             ,
             which
             may
             be
             seen
             and
             contemplated
             with
             the
             mind
             ,
             but
             I
             confesse
             with
             tears
             in
             mine
             eyes
             and
             sighs
             from
             my
             heart
             that
             I
             am
             not
             yet
             fit
             nor
             able
             to
             behold
             it
             :
             wherefore
             the
             Divine
             goodnesse
             will
             not
             forsake
             me
             ,
             if
             I
             fain
             nothing
             ,
             if
             I
             speak
             according
             to
             my
             duty
             ,
             if
             I
             love
             the
             truth
             ,
             if
             I
             affect
             friendship
             ,
             and
             if
             I
             take
             a
             great
             care
             that
             thou
             mayest
             not
             be
             deceived
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             III.
             
          
           
             Of
             the
             four
             wayes
             of
             expounding
             the
             Old
             Testament
             .
          
           
             THose
             that
             earnestly
             desire
             to
             know
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             are
             to
             understand
             that
             it
             is
             taught
             and
             expounded
             after
             four
             manner
             of
             wayes
             :
             according
             to
             the
             History
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Etiologie
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Analogy
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             Allegory
             .
             Think
             me
             not
             foolish
             for
             using
             Greek
             names
             :
             First
             ,
             for
             that
             I
             have
             so
             received
             ,
             and
             I
             dare
             not
             deliver
             this
             otherwise
             unto
             thee
             then
             as
             I
             have
             received
             :
             Next
             thou
             also
             observest
             ,
             that
             we
             have
             no
             usuall
             names
             for
             these
             things
             :
             and
             if
             I
             had
             framed
             any
             by-interpretation
             ,
             I
             should
             be
             lesse
             apt
             to
             be
             understood
             :
             and
             if
             I
             should
             use
             any
             circumlocution
             ,
             I
             should
             be
             lesse
             quick
             and
             lesse
             ready
             in
             discoursing
             :
             this
             
             onely
             I
             intreat
             and
             beseech
             thee
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             howsoever
             I
             may
             erre
             ,
             I
             do
             it
             not
             out
             of
             any
             arrogancy
             or
             pride
             .
             The
             Scripture
             is
             treated
             according
             to
             the
             history
             when
             it
             is
             declared
             therein
             what
             is
             written
             ,
             or
             what
             is
             done
             :
             and
             what
             is
             not
             done
             but
             written
             onely
             as
             it
             were
             done
             .
             According
             to
             the
             Etiology
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             shewed
             thereby
             for
             what
             cause
             any
             thing
             is
             either
             done
             or
             said
             .
             According
             to
             the
             Analogy
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             demonstrated
             that
             the
             two
             Testaments
             ,
             the
             Old
             and
             the
             New
             ,
             are
             not
             contrary
             the
             one
             unto
             the
             other
             .
             According
             to
             the
             Allegory
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             read
             therein
             that
             certain
             things
             that
             are
             written
             ,
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             understood
             according
             to
             the
             letter
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             the
             figure
             .
             All
             these
             manner
             of
             wayes
             of
             alledging
             Scripture
             ,
             have
             been
             used
             by
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             and
             by
             the
             Apostles
             .
             He
             cited
             Scripture
             according
             to
             the
             
             History
             ,
             when
             ,
             unto
             those
             that
             objected
             that
             his
             Disciples
             had
             plucked
             the
             ears
             of
             Corn
             upon
             the
             Sabbath
             day
             ,
             he
             answered
             ,
             
               Have
               ye
               not
               read
               what
               David
               did
               ,
               when
               he
               was
               an
               hungred
               ,
               and
               they
               that
               were
               with
               him
               :
               how
               he
               entred
               into
               the
               house
               of
               God
               and
               did
               eat
               the
               loaves
               of
               Proposition
               (
               or
               Shew-bread
               )
               which
               it
               was
               not
               lawfull
               for
               him
               to
               eat
               ,
               neither
               for
               them
               that
               were
               with
               him
               ,
               but
               for
               Priests
               onely
               ?
            
             Mat.
             12.
             1
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             1
             Sam.
             21.
             6.
             
             Exod.
             29.
             32.
             
             He
             alledged
             Scripture
             according
             to
             the
             Etiology
             ,
             when
             having
             forbidden
             the
             dismissing
             of
             wives
             for
             any
             cause
             but
             onely
             fornication
             ,
             unto
             the
             Pharisees
             ,
             who
             told
             him
             that
             
               Moses
            
             had
             given
             men
             leave
             to
             dismisse
             them
             ,
             having
             first
             given
             them
             a
             bill
             of
             divorce
             ,
             he
             said
             :
             
               This
               Moses
               did
               for
               the
               hardnesse
               of
               your
               hearts
               .
            
             Deut.
             24.
             1.
             Mat.
             19.
             8.
             for
             here
             a
             cause
             was
             rendred
             ,
             why
             that
             was
             well
             permitted
             
             by
             
               Moses
            
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             this
             which
             Christ
             commanded
             might
             seem
             to
             shew
             and
             demonstrate
             other
             times
             but
             to
             declare
             how
             the
             divine
             Providence
             hath
             with
             a
             certain
             wonderfull
             disposition
             ordered
             and
             composed
             the
             courses
             and
             order
             of
             these
             times
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             long
             work
             .
             Now
             touching
             the
             Analogy
             ,
             whereby
             appears
             the
             accord
             and
             consent
             of
             both
             the
             Testaments
             ,
             what
             shall
             I
             say
             ,
             but
             that
             all
             those
             have
             used
             it
             ,
             unto
             whose
             authority
             the
             Manichees
             do
             give
             place
             ,
             when
             as
             they
             may
             consider
             with
             themselves
             how
             many
             things
             they
             are
             wont
             to
             say
             are
             thrust
             into
             the
             divine
             Scripture
             by
             I
             know
             not
             what
             co●rupters
             of
             the
             truth
             ?
             which
             I
             alwayes
             thought
             to
             be
             an
             extream
             weak
             speech
             even
             when
             I
             heard
             and
             followed
             them
             :
             neither
             was
             this
             my
             opinion
             onely
             ,
             but
             thine
             also
             (
             for
             I
             well
             remember
             it
             )
             and
             it
             was
             the
             opinion
             of
             us
             all
             
             who
             endeavoured
             to
             be
             somewhat
             more
             carefull
             and
             wary
             in
             judging
             ,
             th●n
             was
             the
             common
             people
             and
             multitude
             of
             believers
             .
             And
             whereas
             they
             have
             expounded
             and
             declared
             unto
             me
             many
             things
             that
             did
             much
             move
             and
             trouble
             m●
             (
             namely
             those
             wherein
             they
             boasted
             and
             bragged
             oftentimes
             ,
             and
             th●t
             more
             abundantly
             because
             more
             securely
             ,
             as
             not
             having
             any
             adversary
             to
             resist
             and
             oppose
             them
             .
             I
             think
             they
             have
             spoken
             nothing
             more
             impudently
             or
             (
             to
             speak
             more
             mildly
             )
             with
             lesse
             circumspection
             and
             more
             weaknesse
             ,
             then
             that
             the
             divine
             Scriptures
             are
             falsified
             and
             corrupted
             :
             when
             as
             it
             ought
             but
             lately
             to
             have
             been
             done
             ,
             and
             yet
             they
             cannot
             convince
             it
             to
             be
             ●o
             ,
             by
             any
             copies
             that
             are
             now
             extant
             :
             for
             if
             they
             did
             say
             ,
             that
             they
             did
             not
             think
             that
             they
             ought
             to
             receive
             those
             Scriptures
             at
             all
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             written
             by
             such
             Authours
             
             as
             they
             did
             not
             conceive
             to
             have
             written
             the
             truth
             ,
             their
             pretence
             of
             rejecting
             them
             would
             in
             some
             sort
             be
             more
             hidden
             ,
             and
             their
             errour
             more
             humane
             and
             pardonable
             :
             for
             upon
             this
             ground
             they
             have
             rejected
             the
             book
             which
             is
             called
             the
             
               Acts
               of
               the
               Apostles
               :
            
             at
             which
             their
             proceedings
             ,
             when
             I
             well
             weigh
             it
             and
             consider
             it
             with
             my self
             ,
             I
             cannot
             sufficiently
             wonder
             and
             admire
             ;
             for
             they
             wanted
             not
             onely
             humane
             wisdome
             herein
             ,
             but
             even
             a
             reasonable
             and
             an
             indifferent
             judgement
             :
             for
             that
             book
             hath
             so
             many
             things
             ,
             which
             are
             like
             unto
             those
             which
             they
             do
             receive●
             that
             it
             seems
             to
             me
             to
             be
             a
             great
             folly
             not
             to
             receive
             this
             also
             ,
             and
             if
             any
             thing
             displeas●th
             them
             therein
             ,
             presently
             to
             say
             it
             is
             false
             and
             put
             in
             :
             now
             if
             they
             judge
             such
             a
             speech
             to
             be
             impudent
             (
             as
             indeed
             it
             is
             )
             why
             should
             they
             conceive
             those
             things
             to
             deserve
             any
             credit
             and
             est●em
             in
             S.
             
               Paul's
            
             Epistles
             ,
             
             and
             the
             four
             books
             of
             the
             Gospell
             ,
             wherein
             I
             know
             not
             whether
             or
             no
             ,
             proportionably
             speaking
             ,
             there
             be
             many
             more
             things
             then
             there
             could
             be
             in
             that
             book
             ,
             which
             they
             would
             have
             men
             believe
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             thrust
             in
             by
             falsifiers
             and
             corrupters
             ?
             But
             this
             indeed
             is
             my
             opinion
             ,
             which
             I
             request
             thee
             to
             weigh
             and
             consider
             with
             me
             ,
             with
             a
             very
             clear
             and
             peaceable
             judgement
             :
             for
             thou
             art
             not
             ignorant
             how
             the
             Manichees
             endeavouring
             to
             bring
             in
             the
             the
             person
             of
             their
             authour
             
               Manicheus
            
             into
             the
             number
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             do
             say
             that
             by
             him
             we
             have
             received
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             whom
             our
             Lord
             promised
             to
             send
             to
             his
             Disciples
             :
             if
             therefore
             they
             should
             receive
             those
             
               Acts
               of
               the
               Apostles
            
             wherein
             the
             comming
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             is
             evidently
             declared
             and
             set
             down●Act
             .
             
             2.
             2.
             they
             could
             find
             no
             ground
             to
             say
             why
             that
             was
             inserted
             and
             put
             
             in
             :
             for
             they
             pretend
             I
             know
             not
             what
             corrupters
             of
             the
             divine
             books
             to
             have
             been
             before
             
               Manicheus
            
             his
             time
             :
             and
             that
             they
             were
             corrupted
             by
             those
             that
             desired
             to
             confound
             the
             law
             of
             the
             Jews
             with
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             ;
             but
             this
             they
             cannot
             say
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             unlesse
             perad
             venture
             they
             will
             affirm
             that
             the
             corrupters
             could
             foretell
             things
             that
             were
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             thereupon
             did
             put
             into
             their
             books
             that
             which
             might
             be
             produced
             against
             one
             
               Manicheus
            
             who
             sometimes
             was
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             who
             should
             say
             and
             averre
             that
             he
             had
             sent
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ;
             but
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             we
             intend
             to
             speak
             more
             plainly
             herea●ter
             ;
             but
             now
             let
             us
             return
             to
             our
             former
             matter
             ;
             for
             I
             think
             that
             I
             have
             sufficiently
             demonstrated
             and
             shewn
             ,
             that
             the
             historicall
             sense
             is
             to
             be
             found
             in
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             and
             the
             Etiologicall
             and
             Analogicall
             in
             the
             New
             :
             
             it
             remains
             that
             I
             shew
             also
             the
             Allegoricall
             therein
             .
             Our
             Redeemer
             himself
             alledgeth
             in
             the
             Gospel
             an
             Allegory
             out
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             saying
             :
             
               This
               generation
               seeketh
               after
               a
               sign
               ,
               and
               none
               shall
               be
               given
               unto
               it
               ,
               but
               the
               sign
               of
               the
               Prophet
            
             Jonas
             :
             
               for
               as
            
             Jonas
             
               was
               three
               d●yes
               and
               three
               nights
               in
               the
               Whales
               belly
               :
               so
               shall
               the
               Sonne
               of
               man
               be
               three
               dayes
               and
               three
               n●ghts
               in
               the
               heart
               of
               the
               earth
               .
            
             Mat.
             12.
             39
             40.
             
             Jonas
             1.
             17.
             
             And
             what
             shall
             I
             say
             of
             the
             Apostle
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             who
             also
             in
             his
             1
             Ep.
             to
             the
             
               Co●inthians
            
             c.
             10.
             to
             the
             12.
             v.
             signifies
             ,
             that
             the
             ●●story
             it self
             of
             
               Exodus
            
             was
             an
             Allegory
             of
             the
             Christian
             people
             that
             was
             to
             come
             ?
             
               Moreover
               Brethren
               ,
               I
               would
               not
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               that
               ye
               should
               be
               ignorant
               how
               that
               all
               our
               Fathers
               were
               under
               the
               cloud
               ,
            
             Exod.
             13.
             21.
             
             Num.
             14.
             14.
             
             Deut.
             1.
             33.
             
             Psal.
             78.
             14.
             
               and
               all
               passed
               through
               the
               sea
               :
            
             Exod.
             
             14.
             22.
             
             Josh.
             4
             ,
             23.
             
             Psal.
             78.
             13.
             
               and
               were
               all
               Baptized
               unto
            
             Moses
             
               in
               the
               cloud
               and
               in
               the
               sea
               :
               and
               did
               all
               eat
               the
               same
               spirituall
               meat
               ,
               and
               did
               all
               drink
               the
               same
               spirituall
               drink
               :
               (
               for
               they
               drank
               of
               the
               spirituall
               Rock
               that
               followed
               them
               ,
               and
               the
               Rock
               was
               Christ
               )
               but
               with
               many
               of
               them
               God
               was
               not
               well
               pleased
               :
            
             Num.
             24.
             28.
             and
             26.
             65.
             
               for
               they
               were
               overthrown
               in
               the
               wildernesse
               .
               Now
               these
               things
               were
               our
               figures
               (
               or
               examples
               )
               to
               the
               intent
               that
               we
               should
               not
               lust
               after
               evil
               things
               ,
               as
               they
               also
               lusted
               .
            
             Psalm
             .
             106.
             14.
             
             
               Neither
               let
               us
               worship
               Idols
               ,
               as
               some
               of
               them
               did
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               written
               ,
            
             Exod.
             32.
             6.
             
             
               The
               people
               sate
               down
               to
               eat
               and
               drink
               and
               rose
               up
               to
               play
               .
               Neither
               let
               us
               commit
               fornication
               ,
               as
               some
               of
               them
               did
               ,
               and
               there
               fell
               in
               one
               day
               three
               and
               twenty
               thousand
               men
               ,
            
             Num.
             25.
             9.
             
             
               Neither
               let
               us
               tempt
               Christ
               ,
               as
               some
               of
               them
               
               tempted
               him
               ,
               and
               were
               destroyed
               by
               serpents
               .
            
             Numb.
             21.
             6.
             
             
               Neither
               let
               us
               murmure
               ,
               as
               some
               of
               them
               murmured
               ,
               and
               they
               perished
               by
               the
               destroyer
               .
            
             Numb.
             14.
             37.
             
             
               And
               all
               these
               things
               happened
               to
               them
               in
               a
               figure
               (
               or
               for
               an
               example
               )
               but
               they
               were
               written
               for
               our
               admonition
               upon
               whom
               the
               ends
               of
               the
               world
               are
               come
               .
            
             The
             same
             Apostle
             useth
             also
             a
             certain
             Allegory
             ,
             which
             is
             much
             to
             our
             purpose
             ,
             because
             the
             Manichees
             are
             wont
             to
             alledge
             it
             in
             their
             disputations
             ,
             and
             boast
             of
             it
             ,
             when
             writing
             to
             the
             
               Galathians
            
             he
             saith
             ,
             Gal.
             4.
             22
             ,
             23
             ,
             24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26.
             
             
               For
               it
               is
               written
               that
               Abraham
               had
               two
               sonnes
               ,
               the
               one
               by
               a
               bond-maid
               ,
            
             Gen.
             16.
             15.
             
               the
               other
               by
               a
               free-woman●
            
             Gen.
             21.
             2.
             
               but
               he
               that
               was
               by
               the
               bond-maid
               was
               born
               according
               to
               the
               flesh
               ;
               but
               he
               that
               was
               by
               the
               free-woman
               was
               born
               according
               to
               promise
               :
               which
               things
               are
               said
               by
               an
               Allegory
               :
               for
               
               these
               are
               the
               two
               Testaments
               ,
               the
               one
               from
               the
               mount
               Sina
               which
               gendreth
               to
               bondage
               ,
               which
               is
               Agar
               (
               for
               Sina
               is
               a
               mountain
               in
               Arabia
               adjoyning
               to
               Hierusalem
               that
               now
               is
               )
               and
               is
               in
               bondage
               with
               her
               children
               :
               But
               Hierusalem
               which
               is
               above
               is
               free
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               mother
               of
               us
               all
               .
            
             Here
             therefore
             those
             too
             too
             wicked
             men
             whilest
             they
             endeavour
             to
             frustrate
             the
             Law
             ,
             do
             enforce
             us
             to
             allow
             and
             approve
             of
             those
             Scriptures
             :
             for
             they
             diligently
             observe
             that
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             in
             bondage
             that
             are
             under
             the
             Law
             ,
             and
             they
             often
             alledge
             that
             last
             above
             the
             rest
             ,
             Galath.
             5.
             4.
             
             
               Christ
               is
               become
               of
               no
               effect
               unto
               you
               that
               are
               justified
               by
               the
               Law
               ,
               ye
               are
               falne
               from
               Grace
               .
            
             We
             grant
             all
             these
             things
             to
             be
             true
             ,
             neither
             do
             we
             say
             ,
             that
             that
             Law
             is
             necessary
             ,
             but
             onely
             for
             those
             unto
             whom
             bondage
             is
             yet
             profi●able
             and
             expedient
             ;
             and
             therefore
             tha●
             it
             was
             
             fitly
             and
             commodiously
             ordained
             th●t
             such
             men
             as
             could
             not
             be
             reclaimd
             and
             withdrawn
             from
             sinning
             by
             reason
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             constrained
             by
             〈…〉
             ●●mely
             by
             the
             threats
             and
             terrours
             of
             those
             〈…〉
             even
             fools
             themselves
             can
             perceive
             and
             apprehend
             :
             from
             which
             when
             the
             grace
             of
             Christ
             doth
             free
             us
             ,
             it
             doth
             not
             condemn
             that
             Law
             ,
             but
             it
             invites
             us
             for
             the
             time
             to
             come
             to
             obey
             his
             charity
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             serve
             and
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             terrour
             of
             the
             Law
             .
             For
             that
             is
             a
             Grace
             ,
             that
             is
             to
             s●y
             ,
             a
             Benefit
             ,
             which
             they
             that
             yet
             desire
             to
             be
             under
             the
             bonds
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             do
             not
             understand
             that
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             hath
             imparted
             unto
             them
             ;
             whom
             
               Paul
            
             the
             Apostle
             doth
             deservedly
             reprove
             ,
             as
             though
             they
             were
             In●idels
             ,
             because
             they
             did
             not
             believe
             that
             they
             are
             now
             freed
             by
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             from
             that
             servitude
             and
             bondage
             whereunto
             
             they
             were
             subject
             for
             a
             certain
             time
             by
             Gods
             most
             just
             order
             and
             disposing
             .
             Hereupon
             it
             is
             that
             the
             same
             Apostle
             saith
             .
             Gal.
             3.
             24.
             
             
               The
               law
               was
               our
               Peda●●●●●
            
             〈…〉
             ●●ere●ore
             gave
             unto
             men
             a
             Pedagogue
             whom
             they
             should
             fear
             ,
             who
             gave
             them
             afterwards
             a
             master
             whom
             they
             should
             love
             :
             and
             yet
             neverthelesse
             in
             those
             precepts
             and
             Commandments
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             (
             which
             it
             is
             not
             lawfull
             for
             Christians
             now
             to
             use
             ,
             such
             as
             are
             either
             the
             Sabbath
             or
             Circumcision
             or
             the
             Sacrifices
             ,
             and
             whatsoever
             is
             of
             that
             sort
             )
             so
             great
             mysteries
             are
             contained
             and
             comprehended
             ,
             that
             every
             godly
             man
             may
             understand
             that
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             pernicious
             and
             hurtfull
             ,
             then
             that
             whatsoever
             is
             comprised
             therein
             should
             be
             understood
             according
             to
             the
             letter
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             the
             native
             sense
             of
             the
             words
             :
             and
             nothing
             ●ore
             wholesome
             and
             profitable
             ,
             
             then
             to
             have
             it
             expounded
             according
             to
             the
             spirit
             or
             spirituall
             sense
             and
             unde●standing
             :
             hence
             it
             is
             that
             
               the
               letter
               killeth
               ,
               but
               the
               spirit
               quickeneth
               or
               giveth
               life
               .
            
             2
             Cor.
             3.
             6.
             hence
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             
               in
               the
               reading
               of
               the
               Old
               Testament
               ,
               the
               self
               same
               veil
               remaineth
               untaken
               away
               ,
               because
               in
               Christ
               it
               is
               made
               vo●d
               :
            
             vers
             .
             14.
             for
             not
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             but
             the
             veile
             thereof
             is
             made
             void
             in
             Christ
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             that
             may
             be
             understood
             and
             made
             manifest
             by
             him
             ,
             which
             without
             him
             is
             hidden
             and
             obscure
             :
             and
             therefore
             the
             same
             Apostle
             immediately
             after
             saith
             :
             
               But
               when
               thou
               shalt
               turn
               to
               Christ
               the
               ve●l
               shall
               be
               taken
               away
               ,
            
             vers.
             16.
             but
             he
             doth
             not
             say
             that
             the
             Law
             or
             the
             Old
             Testament
             shall
             be
             taken
             away
             :
             they
             are
             not
             therefore
             taken
             away
             by
             our
             Lo●ds
             grace
             ,
             as
             though
             unprofitable
             things
             lay
             hidden
             and
             were
             covered
             there
             ,
             but
             rather
             the
             
             veil
             or
             cover
             is
             taken
             away
             ,
             wherewith
             wholesome
             and
             profitable
             things
             were
             covered
             and
             kept
             close
             .
             This
             is
             the
             benefit
             which
             they
             reap
             and
             receive
             ,
             who
             with
             a
             studious
             and
             a
             devout
             mind
             and
             not
             with
             a
             troubled
             and
             wicked
             spirit
             ,
             do
             se●k
             after
             the
             sense
             of
             those
             Scriptures
             :
             and
             both
             the
             order
             of
             things
             ,
             and
             the
             causes
             of
             what
             is
             s●id
             and
             done●
             and
             so
             great
             an
             accord
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             with
             the
             New
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             last
             tittle
             ,
             and
             so
             great
             mysteries
             and
             secrets
             of
             figures
             are
             ●●●●ly
             and
             plainly
             〈◊〉
             and
             shewn
             :
             that
             all
             the
             things
             that
             are
             found
             out
             by
             interpreting
             them
             ,
             may
             enforce
             men
             to
             confesse
             and
             grant
             that
             they
             are
             miserable
             and
             wretched●
             that
             will
             condemn
             these
             things
             ,
             before
             they
             have
             attain●d
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             Touchi●g
             t●ose
             words
             of
             the
             Apostl●
             :
             
               The
               le●●er
               killeth
               ,
               but
               the
               spirit
               quickneth
               ,
            
             as
             they
             are
             here
             expounded
             
             by
             S.
             
               Augustine
               ,
            
             he
             passeth
             this
             judgement
             ,
             that
             he
             did
             more
             conveniently
             in
             his
             op●●io●●
             expound
             them
             in
             his
             book
             
               De
               Spiritu
               &
               Litera
               ,
            
             though
             this
             sense
             is
             not
             to
             be
             rejected
             .
             
               Lib.
            
             1.
             
             
               Retract
               .
               ●
               .
            
             14.
             
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             IV.
             
          
           
             Of
             three
             wa●es
             whereby
             men
             fall
             into
             errour
             .
          
           
             THat
             for
             the
             present
             the
             depth
             and
             profoundneste
             of
             knowledge
             and
             science
             being
             set
             aside
             ,
             I
             may
             so
             treat
             with
             thee
             ,
             as
             I
             think
             I
             ought
             to
             treat
             with
             my
             familiar
             friend
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             I
             can
             ,
             but
             not
             so
             well
             as
             I
             have
             admired
             to
             see
             very
             learned
             me●
             been
             able
             to
             do
             :
             there
             be
             three
             kinds
             of
             errour
             into
             which
             men
             may
             fall
             when
             they
             reade
             any
             thing
             ;
             I
             will
             speak
             of
             every
             one
             of
             them
             .
             The
             first
             kind
             is
             ,
             when
             
             that
             is
             thought
             to
             be
             true
             which
             indeed
             is
             false
             ,
             and
             was
             thought
             to
             be
             ●o
             by
             the
             Authour
             that
             wrote
             it
             .
             The
             second
             kind
             not
             being
             of
             so
             large
             an
             extent
             ,
             yet
             no
             lesse
             damageable
             and
             hurtfull
             then
             the
             former
             ,
             is
             ,
             when
             that
             which
             is
             false
             ,
             is
             thought
             to
             be
             true●
             and
             was
             thought
             to
             be
             so
             by
             the
             Authour
             that
             wrote
             it
             .
             The
             third
             kind
             ,
             is
             ,
             when
             some
             truth
             is
             learned
             out
             of
             another
             mans
             writing
             ,
             which
             the
             Authour
             himself
             that
             wro●e
             it
             ,
             understood
             not
             :
             in
             which
             kind
             there
             is
             no
             small
             profit
             ,
             yea
             if
             thou
             dost
             consider
             it
             attentively
             thou
             shalt
             find
             that
             the
             Reader
             gains
             unto
             himself
             the
             whole
             profit
             of
             the
             reading
             .
             An
             example
             of
             the
             first
             kind
             is
             this
             :
             If
             any
             one
             should
             say
             and
             believe
             that
             
               Rhadamanthus
            
             heareth
             and
             judgeth
             in
             hell
             the
             causes
             of
             the
             dead
             because
             he
             read
             it
             in
             
               Virgils
            
             verses
             ;
             for
             this
             man
             erres
             two
             manner
             of
             wayes
             :
             first
             ,
             for
             that
             he
             
             believeth
             that
             which
             he
             ought
             not
             to
             believe
             ;
             and
             secondly
             ,
             for
             that
             the
             Authour
             which
             he
             read
             ,
             is
             not
             thought
             to
             have
             believed
             it
             .
             An
             example
             of
             the
             second
             kind
             may
             be
             this●
             because
             
               Lucretius
            
             writes●
             that
             the
             soul
             is
             made
             of
             atomes
             ,
             and
             that
             after
             dea●h
             it
             is
             dissolved
             into
             the
             same
             atomes
             and
             perisheth
             ,
             if
             any
             one
             should
             think
             that
             this
             is
             true
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             ought
             to
             believe
             it
             :
             for
             this
             man
             is
             not
             lesse
             unhappy
             for
             perswading
             himself
             certainly
             in
             so
             great
             a
             ●atter
             that
             to
             be
             true
             ,
             which
             indeed
             is
             false
             ,
             for
             that
             
               Lucretius
               ,
            
             by
             who●e
             books
             he
             was
             deceived
             ,
             was
             of
             that
             opinion
             ;
             for
             what
             doth
             it
             avail
             him
             to
             be
             certain
             of
             the
             Authours
             opinion
             ,
             when
             as
             he
             hath
             made
             choise
             of
             such
             an
             authour
             ,
             not
             by
             whom
             ,
             but
             with
             whom
             he
             might
             erre
             and
             be
             deceived
             ?
             An
             example
             of
             the
             third
             kind
             is
             this
             :
             if
             any
             one
             having
             read
             some
             place
             in
             
               Epicurus
            
             
             his
             works
             wherein
             he
             praiseth
             continency
             should
             affirm
             ,
             That
             he
             placed
             the
             chie●e●t
             good
             and
             felicity
             in
             Virtue
             ;
             and
             that
             therefore
             he
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             blamed
             nor
             reprehended
             ;
             now
             though
             
               Epicurus
            
             believes
             that
             the
             chiefest
             happinesse
             of
             man
             consists
             in
             corporall
             pleasures
             ,
             yet
             what
             prejudice
             doth
             this
             man
             receive
             and
             sustain
             by
             his
             errour
             ,
             when
             as
             he
             holds
             not
             so
             filthy
             and
             hurtfull
             an
             opinion
             ,
             nor
             for
             any
             other
             cause
             is
             he
             pleased
             with
             
               Epicurus
               ,
            
             but
             for
             that
             he
             conceives
             him
             not
             to
             have
             held
             so
             bad
             an
             opinion
             as
             ought
             not
             indeed
             to
             have
             been
             h●ld
             and
             maintained
             ?
             this
             errour
             ,
             is
             not
             onely
             humane
             and
             pardonable
             ,
             but
             also
             oftentimes
             most
             worthy
             of
             a
             man
             :
             for
             what
             if
             a
             man
             should
             make
             me
             this
             relation
             touching
             one
             of
             my
             loving
             friend●
             that
             my
             friend
             when
             he
             was
             come
             to
             mans
             estate
             ,
             told
             him
             in
             the
             hearing
             of
             many
             ,
             that
             his
             infancy
             
             and
             childhood
             had
             been
             so
             plea●ing
             and
             delightfull
             unto
             him
             ,
             that
             even
             he
             swore
             he
             would
             lead
             such
             a
             l●fe
             afterwards
             :
             and
             that
             I
             had
             received
             such
             certain
             proofs
             of
             the
             truth
             of
             this
             matter
             ,
             that
             I
             could
             not
             without
             shame
             and
             impudency
             deny
             it
             :
             should
             I
             seen
             worthy
             of
             blame
             and
             reproof
             ,
             if
             I
             should
             think
             that
             when
             he
             said
             this
             ,
             he
             meant
             and
             intended
             to
             signifie
             thereby
             ,
             that
             he
             took
             much
             delight
             in
             an
             innocent
             life
             ,
             and
             a
             mind
             alienated
             from
             those
             appetites
             and
             desires
             wherewith
             mankind
             is
             wont
             to
             be
             involved
             ,
             and
             thereupon
             my
             love
             and
             affection
             towards
             him
             should
             be
             much
             increased
             ,
             although
             perhaps
             the
             young
             man
             having
             been
             foolish
             in
             his
             tender
             age
             ,
             had
             greatly
             affected
             a
             certain
             l●berty
             in
             playing
             and
             eating
             and
             sluggish
             rest
             ?
             for
             suppose
             he
             had
             died
             after
             I
             had
             received
             this
             relation
             touching
             him
             ,
             
             and
             no body
             could
             be
             found
             that
             could
             tell
             me
             what
             his
             judgement
             and
             opinion
             was
             herein
             :
             would
             any
             one
             be
             so
             mischievous
             and
             wicked
             ,
             as
             to
             fall
             out
             and
             be
             angry
             with
             me
             for
             praising
             his
             resolution
             and
             intention
             according
             to
             the
             intelligence
             which
             had
             been
             delivered
             and
             imparted
             unto
             me
             ?
             Yea
             what
             if
             a
             just
             valuer
             and
             esteemer
             of
             things
             should
             perhaps
             make
             no
             difficulty
             to
             praise
             and
             commend
             my
             good
             will
             and
             opinion
             ,
             for
             that
             I
             was
             taken
             and
             delighted
             with
             innocency
             ,
             and
             being
             a
             man
             would
             rather
             frame
             a
             good
             conceit
             of
             another
             man
             in
             a
             doubtfull
             matter
             ,
             even
             when
             he
             spake
             otherwise
             then
             he
             ought
             to
             have
             done
             ?
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             V
             ,
          
           
             Of
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             Holy
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             NOw
             thou
             hast
             heard
             the
             three
             kinds
             of
             errour
             into
             which
             men
             may
             fall
             that
             reade
             any
             thing
             :
             hear
             also
             so
             many
             conditions
             and
             differences
             of
             the
             same
             Scriptures
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             necessary
             that
             so
             many
             do
             occurre
             ;
             for
             either
             some
             one
             hath
             written
             a
             profitable
             work
             ,
             and
             another
             doth
             not
             rightly
             and
             profitably
             understand
             it
             :
             or
             the
             writer
             and
             the
             reader
             have
             both
             bestowed
             their
             labours
             unprofitably
             ;
             or
             the
             reader
             doth
             well
             and
             rightly
             understand
             ,
             but
             the
             Authours
             work
             is
             uselesse
             and
             unprofitable
             .
             Of
             these
             three
             kinds
             the
             first
             I
             d●●allow
             not
             ,
             the
             last
             I
             esteem
             not
             :
             for
             ●hether
             can
             I
             blame
             an
             Authour
             whose
             work
             is
             not
             well
             and
             rightly
             understood
             ,
             if
             he
             be
             no
             way
             guilty
             of
             that
             fault
             ,
             nor
             can
             I
             be
             
             troubled
             to
             see
             an
             Authour
             read
             that
             hath
             not
             known
             the
             truth
             ,
             when
             I
             see
             that
             his
             readers
             do
             receive
             no
             hurt
             nor
             prejudice
             thereby
             :
             wherefo●e
             ,
             there
             is
             one
             kind
             that
             is
             most
             approved
             ,
             and
             is
             most
             purged
             and
             cleansed
             from
             errour
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             when
             not
             onely
             good
             works
             are
             set
             forth
             ,
             but
             are
             also
             well
             and
             rightly
             understood
             by
             their
             readers
             ;
             yet
             notwithstanding
             that
             also
             is
             divided
             into
             two
             kinds
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             not
             wholly
             free
             from
             errour
             :
             for
             it
             happeneth
             oftentimes
             that
             the
             writer
             hath
             a
             good
             meaning●
             and
             the
             reader
             hath
             so
             too
             ,
             but
             another
             then
             he
             ,
             and
             oftentimes
             a
             better
             conceit
             ,
             oftentimes
             a
             lower
             ,
             and
             yet
             one
             that
             is
             commodious
             and
             profitable
             :
             but
             when
             as
             we
             attain
             to
             the
             true
             sense
             and
             meaning
             of
             the
             Authour
             which
             we
             reade
             ;
             and
             the
             work
             much
             conduceth
             to
             the
             leading
             of
             a
             good
             life
             ,
             the
             truth
             appears
             abundantly
             therein
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             no
             
             gap
             nor
             passage
             that
             lies
             open
             to
             falshood
             and
             deceit
             .
             This
             kind
             is
             very
             seldome
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             when
             the
             discourse
             is
             about
             things
             that
             are
             extremely
             hard
             and
             obscure
             ;
             neither
             in
             my
             opinion
             can
             it
             be
             clearly
             and
             manifestly
             known●
             ,
             but
             onely
             be
             believed
             :
             for
             by
             what
             proofs
             or
             arguments
             can
             I
             so
             perfectly
             gather
             what
             the
             will
             of
             a
             man
             is
             ,
             that
             is
             absent
             or
             dead●
             that
             I
             can
             swear
             and
             take
             my
             oath
             what
             it
             is
             :
             when
             as
             if
             he
             were
             asked
             even
             being
             present
             there
             might
             be
             many
             things
             which
             he
             might
             most
             officiously
             conceal
             and
             hide
             ,
             although
             he
             wer●
             not
             a
             wicked
             man
             ?
             but
             to
             know
             the
             quality
             of
             the
             Authour
             I
             think
             it
             no●hing
             avails
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             matter
             :
             yet
             neverthelesse
             he
             highly
             deserves
             to
             be
             reputed
             and
             esteemed
             to
             be
             a
             good
             man
             ,
             who
             by
             his
             books
             and
             writings
             affords
             great
             assistance
             unto
             mankind
             and
             to
             posterity
             .
             Now
             I
             would
             
             have
             the
             Manichees
             to
             tell
             me
             in
             which
             kind
             they
             place
             the
             errour
             (
             which
             they
             conceive
             )
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             .
             If
             in
             the
             first
             it
             is
             a
             grievous
             fault
             indeed
             ,
             but
             we
             need
             not
             seek
             farre
             to
             know
             how
             to
             defend
             it
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             sufficient
             to
             deny
             that
             we
             understand
             it
             ,
             as
             they
             conceive
             ,
             when
             they
             inveigh
             against
             it
             .
             If
             in
             the
             second
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             lesse
             ●grievous
             ,
             but
             the
             same
             words
             will
             serve
             to
             confute
             it
             .
             If
             in
             the
             third
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             fault
             at
             all
             .
             Go
             to
             then
             ,
             and
             hereafter
             consider
             the
             Scriptures
             themselves
             :
             for
             what
             do
             they
             object
             against
             the
             books
             which
             are
             called
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ?
             do
             they
             say
             that
             they
             are
             good
             ,
             but
             that
             we
             do
             not
             well
             and
             rightly
             understand
             them
             ?
             but
             they
             themselves
             receive
             them
             not
             .
             Do
             they
             say
             that
             they
             are
             neither
             good
             ,
             nor
             rightly
             understood
             by
             us
             ?
             but
             this
             is
             sufficiently
             ●onvinced
             by
             the
             former
             defense
             ;
             or
             will
             they
             say
             ,
             that
             we
             rightly
             
             understand
             them
             ,
             but
             that
             the
             books
             be
             naught
             ?
             what
             is
             this
             ,
             but
             to
             acquit
             and
             absolve
             their
             living
             adversaries
             ,
             with
             whom
             they
             are
             in
             debate
             ,
             and
             to
             accuse
             those
             that
             are
             formerly
             dead
             ,
             with
             whom
             they
             have
             no
             contention
             nor
             strife
             ?
             Verily
             
               I
            
             do
             believe
             that
             all
             the
             works
             which
             those
             men
             left
             to
             posterity
             ,
             were
             profitably
             written
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             were
             great
             and
             very
             holy
             men
             ,
             and
             that
             that
             Law
             was
             made
             and
             published
             by
             Gods
             will
             and
             command
             :
             and
             although
             my
             skill
             and
             knowledge
             be
             but
             very
             little
             in
             books
             of
             that
             kind
             ,
             yet
             this
             
               I
            
             can
             easily
             prove
             to
             be
             true
             unto
             one
             that
             bears
             an
             equall
             and
             an
             impartiall
             ,
             and
             not
             an
             obstinate
             and
             a
             refractory
             mind
             ;
             and
             
               I
            
             will
             do
             it
             ,
             when
             thou
             wilt
             afford
             me
             an
             attentive
             and
             a
             courteous
             hearing
             ,
             and
             mine
             own
             occasions
             will
             permit
             .
             But
             now
             is
             it
             not
             sufficient
             for
             me
             ,
             howsoever
             that
             businesse
             goes
             ,
             
             not
             to
             have
             been
             beguiled
             nor
             deceived
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VI
             .
          
           
             That
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             is
             first
             to
             be
             loved
             before
             it
             can
             be
             learned
             .
          
           
             
               OHonoratus
               ,
            
             I
             call
             mine
             own
             conscience
             and
             God
             ,
             who
             inhabits
             pure
             souls
             ,
             to
             witnesse
             ,
             that
             
               I
            
             judge
             and
             esteem
             nothing
             to
             be
             more
             〈◊〉
             nothing
             more
             chaste
             ,
             nothing
             more
             rel●gious
             then
             all
             those
             Scriptures
             be
             ,
             which
             under
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             are
             held
             and
             embraced
             by
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             .
             
               I
            
             know
             thou
             admirest
             to
             hear
             me
             talk
             thus
             ,
             for
             
               I
            
             cannot
             disguise
             nor
             dissemble
             the
             matter
             ,
             we
             have
             been
             exhorted
             and
             perswaded
             to
             believe
             far
             otherwise
             :
             but
             truly
             ,
             a
             rasher
             act
             cannot
             be
             committed
             (
             rashnesse
             being
             a
             fault
             unto
             which
             we
             were
             addicted
             
             being
             yet
             but
             children
             )
             then
             to
             forsake
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             Exposit●urs
             of
             any
             kind
             of
             books
             who
             professe
             that
             they
             can
             receive
             them
             ,
             and
             can
             teach
             and
             deliver
             them
             to
             their
             disciples
             :
             and
             to
             require
             their
             judgement
             and
             opinion
             of
             them
             ,
             who
             being
             constrained
             ,
             I
             know
             not
             for
             what
             cause
             have
             denounced
             a
             most
             sharp
             and
             bitter
             warre
             ag●inst
             their
             authours
             and
             compilers
             ?
             and
             that
             I
             may
             speak
             of
             those
             scie●ces
             whe●ein
             perhaps
             a
             Reader
             may
             〈◊〉
             without
             any
             heinous
             crime
             or
             off●●ce
             ,
             who
             ev●r
             thought
             that
             the
             exposition
             of
             the
             profound
             and
             obscure
             books
             of
             
               Aristotle
            
             ought
             to
             be
             received
             from
             his
             enemy
             ?
             or
             who
             being
             desirous
             to
             learn
             the
             Geometry
             of
             
               Archimedes
               ,
            
             would
             take
             
               Epicurus
            
             to
             be
             his
             master
             ,
             against
             which
             he
             disputed
             very
             sti●fely
             and
             eag●●ly
             ,
             and
             yet
             (
             as
             ●
             conceive
             )
             he
             understood
             nothing
             thereof
             ?
             Are
             
             those
             Sc●iptures
             of
             the
             law
             most
             plain
             and
             easie
             ,
             against
             which
             they
             proceed
             with
             violence
             in
             vain
             and
             to
             no
             purpose
             ,
             as
             though
             they
             were
             exposed
             and
             lay
             open
             to
             the
             capacity
             of
             the
             common
             people
             ?
             I
             think
             these
             men
             are
             like
             to
             that
             woman
             which
             they
             themselves
             do
             laugh
             at
             and
             deride
             ,
             who
             being
             angry
             to
             hear
             the
             praises
             of
             the
             sunne
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             it
             recommended
             unto
             her
             by
             a
             certain
             Manichean
             woman
             to
             be
             worshipped
             ,
             as
             she
             was
             religiously
             simple
             ,
             starts
             up
             upon
             a
             sudden
             ,
             and
             stamping
             often
             upon
             the
             place
             ,
             which
             the
             sunne
             with
             his
             beams
             had
             enlightned
             thorough
             a
             window
             ,
             began
             to
             cry
             out
             ,
             Behold
             I
             contemn
             and
             tread
             under
             foot
             the
             sunne
             and
             thy
             God
             .
             That
             this
             was
             done
             altogether
             foolishly
             ,
             and
             like
             unto
             a
             woman
             ,
             no
             man
             can
             deny
             :
             but
             do
             not
             those
             men
             seem
             to
             resemble
             her
             ,
             who
             casting
             forth
             violent
             speeches
             and
             curses
             against
             the
             
             things
             they
             understand
             not
             ,
             neither
             why
             they
             were
             written
             ,
             nor
             what
             manner
             of
             things
             they
             be
             (
             which
             seem
             as
             t●●●g●
             〈◊〉
             ●ere
             low
             and
             contemptible
             ,
             but
             to
             them
             that
             understand
             them
             they
             are
             subtile
             and
             divine
             )
             think
             to
             receive
             some
             benefit
             thereby
             ,
             because
             unskilfull
             men
             do
             countenance
             and
             applaud
             them
             ?
             believe
             me
             whatsoever
             is
             contained
             in
             those
             Scriptures
             is
             high
             and
             divine
             :
             there
             is
             truth
             altogether
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             most
             fit
             instruction
             both
             for
             the
             amending
             and
             reforming
             mens
             minds
             :
             and
             it
             is
             certainly
             so
             well
             digested
             and
             ordered
             ,
             that
             every
             one
             may
             receive
             from
             thence
             that
             which
             is
             sufficient
             for
             himself
             ,
             if
             he
             comes
             prepared
             to
             take
             it
             with
             such
             piety
             and
             devotion
             ,
             as
             true
             Religion
             doth
             require
             .
             Should
             I
             go
             about
             to
             prove
             this
             unto
             thee
             I
             must
             alledge
             many
             reasons
             ,
             and
             entertain
             thee
             with
             a
             longer
             discourse
             :
             for
             
             first
             I
             must
             perswade
             thee
             not
             to
             hate
             the
             Authours
             themselves
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             love
             them
             :
             and
             this
             I
             must
             effect
             by
             a●●
             〈◊〉
             ●eans●
             rather
             then
             by
             expounding
             their
             opinions
             and
             their
             writings
             :
             and
             therefore
             if
             we
             did
             hate
             
               Virgil
               ,
            
             yea
             if
             we
             did
             not
             love
             him
             upon
             the
             commendation
             of
             our
             Predecessours
             before
             we
             understood
             him
             ,
             we
             should
             never
             be
             satisfied
             in
             those
             innumerable
             questions
             touching
             him
             wherewith
             Grammarians
             are
             wont
             to
             be
             much
             perplexed
             and
             troubled
             :
             nor
             should
             we
             give
             ●are
             to
             any
             man
             that
             could
             resolve
             those
             questions
             to
             his
             honour
             and
             praise
             ,
             but
             we
             should
             give
             countenance
             and
             shew
             favour
             unto
             him
             who
             by
             those
             questions
             would
             endeavour
             to
             shew
             that
             he
             erred
             and
             doted
             ;
             but
             now
             when
             as
             many
             men
             do
             labour
             to
             expound
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             after
             divers
             manners
             ,
             and
             every
             one
             according
             to
             his
             skill
             and
             ability
             ,
             
             they
             receive
             the
             chiefest
             commendation
             and
             applause
             ,
             by
             whose
             expositions
             he
             is
             found
             to
             be
             a
             better
             Poet
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             conceived
             and
             believed
             even
             by
             those
             that
             understand
             him
             not
             ,
             not
             onely
             to
             have
             committed
             no
             fault
             nor
             errour
             ,
             but
             to
             have
             said
             nothing
             which
             doth
             not
             de●erve
             much
             glory
             and
             praise
             :
             and
             therefore
             if
             a
             Master
             fails
             but
             in
             a
             small
             question
             ,
             and
             knows
             not
             what
             to
             answer
             ,
             we
             are
             rather
             angry
             and
             offended
             with
             him
             ,
             then
             we
             will
             conceive
             that
             by
             any
             fault
             committ●d
             by
             
               Maro
            
             he
             is
             silent
             and
             dumb
             :
             but
             if
             a
             Master
             should
             in
             his
             own
             defence
             ,
             〈◊〉
             that
             so
             great
             an
             Authour
             hath
             committed
             a
             fault
             ,
             he
             would
             loose
             so
             much
             credit
             and
             reputation
             thereby
             ,
             that
             his
             scholars
             would
             hardly
             continue
             with
             him
             even
             though
             he
             should
             hyre
             them
             with
             wages
             and
             rewards
             .
             How
             great
             a
             matter
             were
             it
             for
             us
             to
             give
             
             so
             much
             credit
             to
             those
             Writers
             by
             w●ose
             mouthes
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             hath
             spoken
             as
             Antiquity
             confirmed
             by
             a
             long
             continuance
             doth
             testifie
             and
             declare
             ?
             but
             we
             forsooth
             being
             very
             wise
             young
             men
             ,
             and
             wonderfull
             searchers
             of
             reasons
             ,
             not
             having
             so
             much
             as
             perused
             those
             books
             nor
             sought
             o●t
             Masters
             to
             expound
             them
             unto
             us
             ,
             nor
             somewhat
             accused
             our
             own
             slownesse
             herein
             ,
             nor
             held
             them
             to
             have
             any
             judgement
             or
             understanding
             who
             affirmed
             that
             those
             works
             had
             for
             a
             long
             time
             been
             read
             ,
             kept
             and
             expounded
             thorough
             the
             whole
             world
             ,
             though
             that
             no
             credit
             was
             to
             be
             given
             unto
             them
             ,
             being
             moved
             by
             their
             words
             ,
             who
             were
             their
             enemies
             and
             offended
             with
             them
             ,
             by
             whom
             we
             were
             enforced
             with
             a
             false
             promise
             of
             reason
             to
             believe
             and
             embrace
             unheard
             of
             millions
             of
             fables
             and
             ●ales
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             VII
             .
          
           
             That
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             judge
             rashly
             of
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             :
             and
             how
             and
             with
             what
             care
             and
             diligence
             the
             true
             Religion
             is
             to
             be
             sought
             for
             .
          
           
             BUt
             now
             if
             I
             can
             ,
             I
             will
             accomplish
             that
             which
             I
             have
             begun
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             treat
             with
             thee
             after
             such
             a
             sort
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             I
             will
             not
             expound
             the
             Catholick
             Faith
             ,
             but
             I
             will
             shew
             unto
             them
             that
             have
             a
             care
             of
             their
             souls
             some
             hope
             of
             divine
             fruit
             ,
             and
             of
             finding
             out
             the
             Truth
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             they
             may
             search
             out
             the
             great
             mysteries
             and
             secrets
             of
             Faith
             .
             He
             that
             seeks
             after
             the
             true
             Religion
             ,
             doth
             without
             doubt
             either
             believe
             already
             that
             the
             Soul
             is
             immortall
             ,
             unto
             whom
             
             that
             Religion
             may
             be
             commodious
             and
             profitable
             ,
             or
             he
             desires
             to
             find
             her
             to
             be
             so
             in
             the
             same
             Religion
             ;
             and
             therefore
             all
             Religion
             is
             for
             the
             souls
             sake
             :
             for
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             body
             howsoever
             it
             doth
             put
             him
             to
             no
             care
             and
             solicitude
             ,
             especially
             after
             ●eath
             ,
             whose
             soul
             hath
             taken
             a
             course
             by
             which
             it
             may
             become
             blessed
             .
             Wherefore
             true
             Religion
             if
             there
             be
             any
             ,
             was
             either
             onely
             one
             chiefly
             instituted
             for
             the
             souls
             sake
             :
             and
             this
             soul
             erres
             and
             is
             foolish
             ,
             as
             we
             see
             untill
             she
             gets
             and
             possesses
             wisdome
             ,
             and
             that
             perhaps
             is
             the
             true
             Religion
             ,
             if
             I
             seek
             out
             and
             enquire
             the
             cause
             of
             her
             erring
             ,
             I
             find
             it
             to
             be
             a
             thing
             which
             is
             extremely
             hidden
             and
             obscure
             .
             But
             do
             I
             send
             thee
             to
             fables
             ?
             or
             do
             
               I
            
             enforce
             thee
             to
             believe
             any
             thing
             rashly
             ?
             
               I
            
             say
             our
             soul
             being
             entangled
             and
             drowned
             in
             errour
             and
             folly
             ,
             seeks
             after
             the
             way
             of
             verity
             and
             truth
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             any
             such
             to
             
             be
             found
             ,
             if
             thou
             findest
             not
             thy self
             thus
             inclined
             and
             disposed
             ,
             pardon
             me
             ,
             and
             make
             me
             
               I
            
             pray
             thee
             ,
             partaker
             of
             thy
             wi●dome
             :
             but
             if
             thou
             doest
             ,
             let
             u●
             ,
             
               I
            
             beseech
             thee
             both
             together
             seek
             out
             the
             truth
             .
             Imagi●e
             with
             thy self
             that
             no
             no●●c●
             had
             as
             yet
             been
             given
             unto
             us
             ,
             nor
             no
             insinuation
             made
             unto
             us
             of
             any
             Religion
             whatsoever
             .
             Behold
             we
             undertake
             a
             new
             work
             ,
             and
             a
             new
             businesse
             .
             Professours
             of
             Religion
             are
             
               I
            
             believe
             to
             be
             sought
             for
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             no
             such
             thing
             .
             Suppose
             then
             that
             we
             have
             found
             men
             of
             divers
             opinions
             ,
             and
             in
             that
             diversity
             seeking
             to
             draw
             every
             one
             unto
             them
             ;
             but
             that
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             some
             amongst
             these
             do
             surpasse
             the
             rest
             in
             renown
             of
             ●ame
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             possession
             of
             almost
             all
             people
             .
             Whether
             they
             embrace
             the
             truth
             or
             no
             it
             is
             a
             great
             question
             ;
             but
             are
             they
             not
             first
             to
             be
             examined
             and
             tried
             ,
             that
             so
             long
             as
             we
             erre
             (
             for
             as
             
             men
             we
             are
             subject
             to
             errour
             )
             we
             may
             seem
             to
             erre
             with
             mankind
             it self
             ?
             but
             thou
             wilt
             say
             ,
             Truth
             is
             to
             be
             found
             but
             amongst
             a
             few
             certain
             men
             :
             if
             thou
             knowest
             amongst
             whom
             it
             is
             ,
             why
             then
             thou
             knowest
             already
             what
             it
             is
             .
             Did
             not
             
               I
            
             say
             a
             little
             before
             that
             we
             would
             seek
             after
             the
             truth
             ,
             as
             though
             we
             were
             yet
             ignorant
             thereof
             ?
             but
             if
             by
             the
             force
             of
             truth
             thou
             doest
             conjecture
             that
             there
             be
             but
             few
             that
             embrace
             it
             ,
             and
             yet
             thou
             knowest
             not
             who
             they
             be
             ,
             what
             if
             those
             few
             do
             lead
             and
             rule
             the
             multitude
             by
             their
             authority
             ,
             and
             can
             dive
             into
             the
             secrets
             and
             mysteries
             of
             faith
             ,
             and
             can
             make
             them
             in
             a
             manner
             plain
             and
             manifest
             ?
             do
             we
             not
             see
             how
             few
             attain
             to
             the
             height
             of
             eloquence
             ,
             and
             yet
             the
             schools
             of
             Rhetoricians
             do
             make
             a
             great
             noise
             throughout
             the
             whole
             world
             ,
             wit●
             companies
             of
             young
             men
             ?
             Do
             all
             those
             that
             desire
             to
             become
             good
             
             oratours
             ,
             being
             terrified
             with
             the
             multitude
             of
             unskilfull
             men
             ,
             think
             that
             they
             ought
             to
             addict
             themselves
             rather
             to
             the
             studie
             of
             the
             orations
             of
             
               Co●cilius
            
             and
             
               Erucius
               ,
            
             then
             to
             those
             of
             
               Tullius
               Cicero
               ?
            
             all
             men
             affect
             the
             things
             that
             are
             strengthened
             and
             confirmed
             by
             the
             authority
             of
             their
             ancestours
             .
             The
             simple
             sort
             of
             people
             endeavours
             to
             learn
             those
             things
             which
             a
             few
             learned
             men
             have
             delivered
             unto
             them
             to
             be
             learned
             :
             but
             very
             few
             there
             be
             that
             attain
             unto
             great
             eloquence
             ,
             fewer
             there
             be
             that
             practise
             it
             ,
             but
             fewest
             of
             all
             that
             grow
             eminent
             and
             are
             famous
             .
             What
             if
             true
             Religion
             be
             some
             such
             thing
             ?
             what
             if
             a
             multitude
             of
             ignorant
             people
             frequents
             the
             Churches
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             proof
             nor
             arg●ment
             ,
             that
             therefore
             none
             are
             made
             perfect
             by
             those
             mysteries
             ?
             and
             yet
             if
             so
             f●w
             should
             studie
             eloquence
             ,
             as
             there
             are
             few
             that
             become
             ●loquent
             ,
             our
             parents
             
             would
             never
             think
             it
             fit
             to
             have
             us
             recommended
             unto
             such
             masters
             .
             When
             as
             therefore
             the
             multitude
             ,
             which
             abounds
             with
             a
             number
             of
             unsk●lfull
             people
             invites
             us
             to
             these
             studies●
             and
             makes
             us
             earnestly
             to
             affect
             that
             which
             few
             do
             obtain
             ,
             why
             will
             we
             not
             admit
             that
             we
             have
             the
             like
             cause
             i●
             Religion
             ,
             the
             which
             peradventure
             we
             contemne
             and
             despise
             to
             the
             great
             perill
             and
             hazard
             of
             our
             souls
             ?
             for
             if
             the
             most
             true
             and
             most
             sincere
             worship
             of
             God
             ,
             though
             it
             be
             but
             amongst
             a
             few
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             amongst
             those
             with
             whom
             the
             multitude
             ,
             though
             wholly
             addicted
             to
             their
             appetit●s
             and
             desires
             ,
             and
             farre
             from
             the
             purity
             of
             knowledge
             and
             understanding●
             doth
             con●ent
             and
             agree
             ,
             which
             without
             all
             doubt
             may
             come
             to
             passe
             :
             
               I
            
             ask
             ,
             what
             answer
             are
             we
             able
             to
             give
             if
             any
             one
             should
             r●prove
             our
             ●ashnes
             &
             folly
             for
             that
             having
             a
             great
             care
             to
             find
             out
             the
             
             true
             Religion
             ,
             we
             do
             not
             diligently
             search
             it
             out
             amongst
             the
             masters
             and
             teachers
             thereof
             ?
             if
             
               I
            
             should
             say
             the
             multitude
             hath
             discouraged
             me
             .
             Why
             then
             hath
             it
             not
             disheartened
             men
             from
             the
             study
             of
             the
             liberall
             sciences
             which
             hardly
             yields
             any
             profit
             to
             this
             present
             life
             ?
             why
             not
             from
             seeking
             after
             money
             and
             getting
             wealth
             ?
             why
             not
             from
             obtaining
             dignities
             and
             honours
             ?
             moreover
             ,
             why
             not
             from
             recovering
             and
             preserving
             health
             ?
             finally
             ,
             why
             not
             from
             the
             desire
             of
             a
             blessed
             &
             an
             happy
             life
             ?
             in
             all
             which
             affairs
             though
             many
             men
             be
             imployed
             ,
             yet
             few
             there
             be
             that
             ate
             eminent
             and
             excell
             .
             You
             will
             say
             that
             the
             books
             of
             the
             Old
             Testament
             seemed
             to
             contain
             absurd
             things
             .
             Who
             are
             they
             that
             affirm
             it
             ?
             namely
             enemies
             ,
             for
             what
             cause
             or
             reason
             they
             did
             it
             ,
             is
             not
             now
             the
             question
             ;
             but
             yet
             they
             were
             enemies
             ,
             you
             will
             say
             when
             you
             read
             them
             you
             understood
             so
             much
             
             by
             your
             own
             reading
             .
             Is
             it
             so
             indeed
             ?
             if
             thou
             hadst
             no
             skill
             in
             Poetrie
             at
             all
             thou
             durst
             not
             take
             in
             han●Terentianus
             
               Maurus
            
             without
             a
             master
             ;
             
               Asper
               ,
               Cornutus●
               Donatus
               ,
            
             and
             a
             multitude
             of
             other
             Authours
             are
             thought
             requisite
             for
             the
             understanding
             of
             any
             Poet
             ,
             whose
             verses
             deserve
             no
             greater
             esteem
             then
             the
             approbation
             and
             applause
             of
             a
             stage
             :
             and
             thou
             without
             a
             guide
             doest
             undertake
             to
             reade
             those
             books
             ,
             and
             without
             a
             master
             darest
             passe
             thy
             judgement
             upon
             them
             ,
             which
             ,
             howsoever
             they
             be
             ,
             are
             notwithstanding
             by
             the
             confession
             of
             almost
             all
             mankind
             ,
             published
             to
             be
             holy
             and
             replenished
             with
             divine
             matters
             :
             nor
             if
             tho●
             findest
             some
             things
             therein
             which
             seem
             unto
             th●e
             absurd
             ,
             dost
             thou
             rather
             accuse
             the
             dulnesse
             of
             thy
             wit●
             and
             thy
             mind
             corrupted
             with
             the
             infection
             of
             this
             world
             (
             as
             the
             minds
             of
             all
             fools
             are
             )
             then
             those
             
             books
             which
             peradventure
             by
             such
             kind
             of
             men
             cannot
             be
             well
             conceived
             and
             understood
             .
             Thou
             shouldst
             do
             well
             to
             seek
             out
             a
             man
             both
             pious
             and
             learned
             ,
             or
             one
             that
             is
             esteemed
             and
             reputed
             so
             to
             be
             ,
             by
             the
             approbation
             and
             consent
             of
             many
             ;
             by
             whose
             instructions
             thou
             mightest
             become
             better
             ,
             and
             more
             expert
             and
             skilfull
             by
             his
             learning
             .
             Such
             an
             one
             (
             saist
             thou
             )
             was
             not
             easie
             to
             be
             found
             :
             it
             would
             be
             some
             labour
             and
             trouble
             to
             seek
             him
             .
             There
             was
             none
             such
             in
             the
             land
             wherein
             thou
             didst
             dwell
             .
             If
             so
             ,
             what
             cause
             could
             more
             profitably
             enforce
             thee
             to
             travell
             ?
             if
             he
             lay
             hid
             in
             the
             continent
             or
             firm
             land
             ,
             or
             were
             not
             there
             at
             all
             ;
             thou
             shouldst
             sail
             beyond
             sea
             :
             if
             he
             were
             not
             there
             to
             be
             found
             by
             the
             shore
             ,
             thou
             shoulde●t
             make
             a
             voyage
             even
             unto
             those
             lands
             ,
             wherein
             the
             things
             which
             are
             contained
             in
             those
             books
             are
             said
             and
             reported
             to
             have
             been
             
             done
             .
             O
             
               Honorat
               us
            
             have
             we
             done
             any
             such
             thing
             ?
             and
             yet
             when
             we
             were
             but
             most
             wretched
             and
             silly
             boyes
             we
             did
             at
             our
             own
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             in
             our
             own
             judgement
             ,
             condemn
             a
             Religion
             ,
             and
             that
             perhaps
             a
             most
             holy
             one
             (
             for
             I
             speak
             ,
             as
             yet
             ,
             as
             though
             some
             doubt
             were
             to
             be
             made
             thereof
             )
             whose
             fame
             and
             renown
             hath
             already
             possessed
             the
             whole
             world
             .
             What
             if
             the
             things
             which
             ●eem
             in
             those
             Scriptures
             offensive
             to
             some
             that
             are
             ignorant
             and
             unskilfull
             ,
             be
             for
             this
             cause
             so
             written
             and
             set
             down
             ,
             that
             when
             such
             things
             are
             read
             as
             ●gree
             not
             with
             the
             sense
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             much
             lesse
             with
             theirs
             that
             are
             holy
             and
             wise
             ,
             we
             may
             with
             more
             care
             and
             diligence
             seek
             out
             a
             secret
             and
             hidden
             meaning
             thereof
             ?
             doest
             thou
             not
             see
             how
             men
             labour
             to
             interpret
             the
             pastorall
             Catamite
             ,
             upon
             whom
             the
             rough
             shepherd
             poured
             out
             his
             affections
             :
             and
             
             how
             they
             as●irm
             that
             the
             boy
             
               Alexis
            
             (
             upon
             whom
             
               Plato
            
             is
             also
             said
             to
             have
             made
             some
             love-ver●es
             )
             signifies
             I
             know
             not
             what
             great
             and
             mysterious
             matter
             ,
             but
             that
             it
             surpasseth
             the
             judgement
             and
             understanding
             of
             unskilfull
             men
             :
             when
             as
             indeed
             that
             Poet
             abounding
             in
             his
             inventions
             may
             without
             any
             detestable
             crime
             or
             offence
             be
             conceived
             to
             have
             published
             lascivious
             songs
             ?
             but
             were
             we
             indeed
             hindred
             and
             withdrawn
             from
             seeking
             out
             the
             true
             Religion
             ,
             either
             by
             the
             publishing
             of
             some
             law
             against
             it
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             power
             of
             them
             that
             oppose
             it
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             contemptible
             shew
             and
             appearance
             of
             men
             dedicated
             to
             the
             service
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             base
             or
             di●honest
             report
             ;
             or
             by
             the
             newnesse
             of
             the
             institution
             ,
             or
             by
             some
             hidden
             profession
             thereof
             ?
             No
             ,
             no
             ,
             none
             of
             these
             things
             did
             withdraw
             and
             hinder
             us
             :
             all
             laws
             both
             divine
             and
             humane
             do
             permit
             men
             to
             
             seek
             out
             the
             Catholick
             faith
             ,
             and
             certainly
             it
             is
             lawfull
             according
             to
             humane
             law
             to
             hold
             &
             embrace
             it
             ,
             if
             so
             long
             as
             we
             erre
             ,
             we
             be
             uncertain
             of
             the
             divine
             law
             .
             We
             have
             no
             enemie
             that
             puts
             any
             fright
             or
             terrour
             into
             our
             weaknes
             :
             although
             truth
             and
             the
             salvation
             of
             our
             souls
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             sought
             after
             ,
             where
             it
             is
             lawful
             to
             seek
             it
             with
             most
             safety
             ;
             and
             it
             cannot
             be
             found
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             enquired
             for
             with
             any
             danger
             and
             hazard
             whatsoever
             ;
             the
             degrees
             of
             all
             powers
             &
             dignities
             do
             most
             devoutly
             impart
             their
             service
             unto
             this
             sacred
             and
             divine
             worship
             :
             and
             the
             very
             name
             of
             Religion
             is
             most
             honourable
             ,
             and
             hath
             a
             very
             great
             esteem
             and
             renown
             .
             What
             hindereth
             us
             then
             at
             last
             to
             seek
             out
             carefully
             ,
             and
             to
             examine
             with
             a
             pious
             and
             diligent
             search
             ,
             whether
             here
             be
             that
             truth
             which
             though
             few
             do
             know
             and
             retain
             after
             the
             sincerest
             manner
             ,
             yet
             the
             favour
             and
             good
             w●ll
             o●
             a●l
             nati●●s
             doth
             con●●i●e
             
             therein
             ?
             All
             this
             being
             so
             ,
             imagine
             (
             as
             I
             said
             )
             that
             we
             now
             make
             our
             first
             enquiry
             what
             Religion
             we
             ought
             to
             embrace
             ,
             both
             for
             the
             cleansing
             and
             reforming
             of
             our
             souls
             .
             
               Without
               doubt
               we
               must
               take
               our
               beginning
               from
               the
               Catholick
               Church
               ,
            
             for
             there
             are
             now
             more
             Christians
             then
             if
             the
             Jews
             were
             joyned
             with
             the
             worshippers
             of
             idols
             .
             And
             
               where●●
               of
               the
               same
               Christians
               there
               be
               divers
               heresies
               ,
               and
               all
               would
               have
               themselves
               thought
               to
               be
               Catholicks
               ,
               and
               do
               call
               others
               besides
               themselves
               hereticks
               ;
               the
               Church
               is
               one
               ,
               as
               all
               do
               grant
               ,
               greater
               in
               multitude
               ,
               if
               thou
               considerest
               the
               whole
               world
               ,
               and
               (
               as
               those
               that
               know
               do
               affirm
               )
               more
               sincere
               in
               truth
               then
               all
               the
               re●t
               ;
               but
               as
               for
               truth
               it
               is
               another
               question
               .
               But
               that
               which
               is
               sufficient
               for
               those
               that
               seek
               it
               ,
               is
               ,
               that
               the
               Catholick
               Church
               is
               one
               upon
               which
               other
               heresies
               do
               impose
               divers
               names
               ,
               when
               as
               
               every
               one
               of
               them
               is
               called
               by
               its
               proper
               name
               ,
               which
               it
               dares
               not
               deny
               ;
               where
               by
               we
               may
               understand
               by
               the
               judgement
               of●
               Arbitratours
               not
               hindred
               by
               any
               favour●
               unto
               whom
               the
               name
               Catholick
               which
               all
               seek
               after
               ,
               ought
               to
               be
               attributed
               .
            
             But
             lest
             that
             any
             one
             should
             think
             that
             this
             thing
             ought
             to
             be
             debated
             with
             much
             babling
             or
             superfluous
             discourse●
             there
             is
             one
             Church
             indeed
             wherein
             even
             the
             humane
             Laws
             are
             after
             a
             sort
             Christian
             .
             Yet
             I
             will
             have
             no
             preocupation
             of
             judgement
             to
             be
             drawn
             from
             hence
             ,
             but
             I
             judge
             it
             to
             be
             a
             most
             fit
             beginning
             for
             the
             seeking
             out
             of
             the
             truth
             .
             For
             there
             is
             no
             fear
             least
             the
             true
             worship
             of
             God
             relying
             upon
             no
             proper
             force
             of
             its
             own
             ,
             should
             seem
             to
             stand
             in
             need
             to
             be
             upheld
             and
             supported
             by
             them
             whom
             ●t
             ought
             to
             sustain
             and
             support
             :
             but
             certainly
             it
             were
             a
             perfect
             happinesse
             ,
             if
             the
             Tru●h
             could
             
             there
             be
             found
             ,
             where
             with
             most
             security
             it
             may
             be
             sought
             and
             retained
             :
             but
             if
             it
             cannot
             ,
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             sought
             for
             in
             another
             place
             ,
             what
             danger
             and
             perill
             soever
             be
             incurred
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             VIII
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             way
             to
             the
             instruction
             of
             piety
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             wonderfull
             pains
             Sa●nt
             Augustine
             took
             to
             find
             it
             out
             .
          
           
             HAving
             thus
             resolved
             and
             determined
             these
             things
             ,
             which
             in
             my
             opinion
             are
             so
             right
             and
             just
             ,
             that
             I
             ought
             to
             prevail
             in
             that
             cause
             with
             thee
             ,
             whosoever
             were
             against
             it
             :
             I
             will
             recount
             unto
             thee
             as
             well
             as
             I
             can
             ,
             what
             course
             I
             took
             to
             find
             out
             the
             true
             Religion
             ,
             when
             as
             I
             sought
             it
             with
             such
             a
             mind
             and
             resolution
             as
             I
             have
             now
             declared
             ,
             that
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             ●ought
             for
             .
             When
             I
             
             was
             departed
             from
             thee
             beyond
             the
             Sea
             ,
             now
             staggering
             and
             doubting
             what
             I
             ought
             to
             embrace
             and
             what
             to
             reject
             (
             which
             doubting
             daily
             encreased
             in
             me
             from
             the
             time
             that
             I
             gave
             ear
             unto
             that
             man
             ,
             whose
             coming
             unto
             us
             ,
             was
             as
             thou
             knowest
             )
             promised
             as
             from
             heaven
             ,
             for
             the
             resolving
             of
             all
             the
             difficulties
             where
             with
             we
             were
             troubled
             ,
             and
             I
             knew
             him
             to
             be
             a
             man
             like
             other
             men
             ,
             but
             onely
             that
             he
             was
             cloquent
             ,
             I
             held
             a
             great
             debate
             and
             deliberation
             with
             my self
             being
             now
             in
             Italy
             ;
             not
             whether
             I
             should
             continue
             in
             that
             sect
             into
             which
             I
             was
             sorry
             and
             grieved
             that
             I
             had
             faln
             ,
             but
             by
             what
             means
             I
             might
             find
             out
             the
             truth
             ,
             for
             the
             love
             whereof
             thou
             canst
             bear
             me
             witnesse
             ,
             how
             I
             sighed
             and
             groaned
             .
             I
             was
             often
             of
             an
             opinion
             that
             it
             could
             not
             be
             found
             out
             ,
             and
             the
             great
             waves
             of
             my
             thoughts
             and
             cogitations
             moved
             me
             to
             assent
             
             to
             the
             Academicks
             .
             Oftentimes
             again
             when
             I
             considered
             as
             well
             as
             I
             could
             ,
             that
             the
             mind
             of
             man
             is
             endued
             with
             such
             vivacity
             and
             naturall
             strength
             ,
             with
             such
             wisdome
             and
             sharpnesse
             of
             wit
             ,
             and
             with
             such
             quicknesse
             of
             judgement
             and
             understanding
             ,
             I
             did
             not
             think
             that
             Tru●h
             could
             lye
             hidden
             and
             be
             concealed
             ,
             but
             onely
             that
             the
             manner
             of
             Seeking
             it
             was
             hidden
             and
             unknown
             ,
             and
             that
             that
             manner
             was
             to
             be
             received
             from
             some
             Divine
             Authority
             ,
             it
             remained
             that
             I
             should
             enquire
             what
             that
             Authority
             was
             ,
             when
             as
             in
             so
             great
             Dissensions
             and
             diversity
             of
             Opinions
             every
             one
             did
             promise
             that
             he
             would
             Teach
             and
             deliver
             it
             .
             Whereupon
             there
             occurred
             unto
             me
             an
             intricate
             Wood
             or
             Labyrinth
             into
             which
             it
             was
             very
             tedious
             and
             irksome
             to
             enter
             ;
             and
             my
             mind
             remaining
             restl●sse
             
             am●ngst
             these
             things
             ,
             was
             toss●d
             to
             a●d
             fro
             with
             a
             great
             desire
             of
             finding
             out
             the
             truth
             :
             yet
             neverthelesse
             by
             little
             and
             little
             I
             brake
             off
             from
             their
             company
             more
             and
             more
             whom
             I
             had
             already
             purposed
             to
             forsake
             ,
             and
             there
             was
             nothing
             now
             remaining
             in
             so
             great
             perils
             and
             dangers
             ,
             but
             that
             with
             tears
             and
             pittifull
             words
             ,
             I
             should
             beseech
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             to
             assist
             and
             help
             me
             ;
             and
             this
             I
             did
             deliver
             gently
             and
             carefully
             ,
             and
             now
             I
             was
             almost
             shaken
             by
             some
             disputations
             had
             with
             the
             Bishop
             of
             Millan
             S.
             
               Ambrose
               ,
               l.
            
             5.
             
               conf.
               c.
            
             14●
             so
             that
             not
             without
             some
             hope
             I
             desired
             to
             enquire
             many
             things
             touching
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             which
             (
             as
             thou
             knowest
             )
             being
             discommended
             and
             dispraised
             unto
             us
             we
             abhorred
             and
             detested
             .
             And
             I
             had
             resolved
             to
             remain
             so
             long
             a
             Catechumen
             in
             the
             Church
             unto
             which
             I
             was
             delivered
             
             by
             my
             parents
             ,
             untill
             I
             could
             find
             out
             that
             which
             
               I
            
             desired
             ,
             or
             could
             perswade
             my self
             that
             it
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             sought
             for
             .
             Wherefore
             if
             there
             had
             been
             any
             one
             then
             ,
             that
             could
             have
             taught
             me
             ,
             he
             might
             have
             found
             me
             a
             most
             apt
             schollar
             and
             very
             docible
             .
             
               After
               this
               manner
               and
               with
               the
               like
               care
               and
               anxiety
               of
               thy
               soul
               thou
               seest
               that
               thou
               hast
               been
               long
               troubled
               and
               afflicted
               ,
               and
               if
               thou
               seemest
               to
               thy self
               to
               have
               been
               already
               sufficiently
               tosse●
               ,
               and
               wouldest
               make
               an
               end
               of
               these
               labours
               and
               pains
               :
               Follow
               the
               way
               of
               the
               Catholick
               Discipline
               ,
               which
               hath
               proceeded
               from
               Christ
               himself
               by
               his
               Apostles
               even
               unto
               us
               ,
               and
               from
               hence
               shall
               descend
               and
               be
               conveyed
               to
               posterity
               .
            
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             IX
             .
          
           
             Of
             Credulity
             .
          
           
             THou
             sayest
             my
             advice
             is
             foolish
             and
             ridiculous
             ,
             seeing
             that
             all
             men
             do
             make
             it
             their
             profession
             to
             embrace
             and
             deliver
             Catholick
             doctrine
             .
             That
             all
             Hereticks
             do
             professe
             this
             I
             cannot
             deny
             ,
             but
             after
             such
             a
             manner
             ,
             that
             unto
             those
             which
             they
             entice
             and
             allure
             unto
             them
             ,
             they
             promise
             to
             give
             a
             reason
             for
             the
             most
             hidden
             and
             mostobscure
             things
             :
             and
             chiefly
             for
             this
             cause
             they
             blame
             and
             reprehend
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             ,
             becau●e
             those
             that
             approch
             and
             come
             unto
             her
             are
             commanded
             to
             believe
             :
             but
             they
             glory
             and
             boast
             that
             they
             impose
             not
             upon
             their
             followers
             the
             yoke
             of
             Faith
             and
             Bel●eving●
             but
             open
             unto
             them
             the
             fountain
             it self
             of
             teaching
             and
             instruction
             .
             What
             (
             sayst
             thou
             )
             could
             be
             uttered
             or
             spoken
             
             more
             redounding
             to
             their
             praise
             and
             commendation
             ?
             It
             is
             not
             so
             .
             This
             they
             promise
             having
             no
             power
             nor
             ability
             to
             perform
             it
             ,
             but
             that
             by
             the
             name
             and
             pretence
             of
             reason
             they
             may
             winne
             and
             allure
             much
             company
             unto
             them
             ;
             for
             the
             soul
             of
             man
             naturally
             rejoyceth
             at
             the
             promise
             of
             reason
             ,
             and
             not
             having
             regard
             to
             her
             own
             forces
             and
             weaknesse
             ,
             by
             a
             desire
             she
             hath
             to
             eat
             the
             meats
             of
             those
             that
             are
             in
             health
             (
             which
             are
             not
             prudently
             given
             to
             the
             infirm
             )
             she
             hastily
             falls
             upon
             the
             poyson
             of
             the
             deceivers
             .
             But
             as
             for
             true
             Religion
             it
             can
             by
             no
             means
             be
             well
             and
             rightly
             received
             without
             some
             weighty
             command
             and
             force
             of
             authority
             ,
             unlesse
             those
             things
             be
             first
             believed
             ,
             which
             every
             one
             may
             afterwards
             attain
             unto
             ,
             and
             learn
             if
             he
             carries
             himself
             well
             ,
             and
             be
             thought
             worthy
             of
             it
             .
             Perhaps
             thou
             requirest
             some
             reason
             hereof
             ,
             whereby
             thou
             
             mayst
             be
             induced
             and
             perswaded
             to
             believe
             that
             thou
             oughtest
             not
             sooner
             to
             be
             taught
             by
             reason
             ,
             then
             by
             Faith
             and
             Belief
             .
             Which
             I
             can
             easily
             give
             unto
             thee
             ,
             if
             thou
             wilt
             accept
             and
             receive
             it
             from
             me
             with
             an
             equall
             and
             impartiall
             mind
             .
             But
             that
             it
             may
             commodiously
             be
             done
             ,
             I
             would
             have
             thee
             as
             it
             were
             answer
             to
             such
             questions
             as
             I
             shall
             propose
             unto
             thee
             .
             And
             first
             of
             all
             I
             would
             have
             thee
             to
             tell
             me
             :
             why
             dost
             thou
             conceive
             that
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             Believe
             ?
             Because
             (
             sayst
             thou
             )
             credulity
             it self
             ,
             from
             whence
             men
             are
             called
             credulous
             ,
             seems
             unto
             me
             to
             be
             a
             certain
             vice
             ,
             else
             it
             would
             not
             be
             a
             custome
             to
             object
             this
             name
             by
             way
             of
             reproch
             .
             For
             if
             a
             suspitious
             man
             be
             culpable
             and
             faulty
             ,
             because
             he
             suspects
             things
             not
             certainly
             known
             :
             much
             more
             doth
             a
             credulous
             man
             deserve
             to
             be
             blamed
             ,
             who
             differs
             herein
             from
             a
             suspitious
             
             man
             ,
             that
             he
             that
             is
             suspitious
             maketh
             some
             doub●
             in
             unknown
             things
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             is
             credulous
             makes
             none
             at
             all
             .
             In
             the
             mean
             time
             I
             admit
             of
             this
             opinion
             and
             this
             distinction
             ;
             but
             thou
             knowest
             also
             that
             we
             do
             not
             say
             a
             man
             is
             curious
             but
             by
             way
             of
             taunt
             and
             reproch
             ,
             but
             when
             we
             call
             a
             man
             studious
             ,
             we
             speak
             it
             in
             his
             praise
             a●d
             commendation
             :
             wherefore
             if
             you
             please
             ,
             mark
             what
             difference
             you
             concei●e
             to
             be
             between
             these
             two
             .
             Thou
             answerest
             ,
             that
             although
             both
             be
             moved
             with
             a
             great
             desire
             of
             knowing
             ,
             yet
             in
             this
             they
             dif●er
             ,
             that
             the
             curious
             man
             enquires
             after
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             not
             unto
             him
             ,
             but
             the
             studious
             on
             the
             contrary
             after
             his
             own
             affairs
             .
             But
             we
             grant
             that
             a
             wife
             and
             children
             and
             their
             welfare
             do
             belong
             unto
             a
             man
             ,
             and
             therefore
             if
             any
             one
             being
             gone
             a
             farre
             off
             out
             of
             his
             native
             soile
             should
             make
             a
             diligent
             enquiry
             
             of
             those
             that
             come
             from
             his
             parts
             ,
             how
             his
             wife
             and
             children
             do
             ,
             he
             hath
             certainly
             a
             great
             desire
             to
             know
             it
             ,
             and
             yet
             we
             call
             not
             this
             a
             studious
             man
             ,
             although
             he
             be
             desirous
             to
             know
             ,
             and
             even
             those
             things
             which
             do
             chiefly
             belong
             and
             appertain
             unto
             him
             .
             Wherefore
             now
             thou
             understandest
             that
             that
             definition
             of
             a
             studious
             man
             is
             herein
             defective
             and
             imperfect
             :
             that
             every
             studious
             man
             desires
             to
             know
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             unto
             him
             ,
             but
             that
             every
             man
             that
             hath
             such
             a
             desire
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             called
             a
             studious
             man
             ;
             but
             he
             who
             exceedingly
             seeks
             after
             the
             things
             which
             belong
             to
             excellent
             breeding
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             adorning
             of
             the
             mind
             ,
             we
             rightly
             call
             (
             in
             Latine
             )
             a
             Student
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             a
             desirous
             man
             ,
             especially
             if
             we
             adde
             what
             he
             desires
             to
             hear
             .
             For
             we
             call
             one
             also
             studious
             of
             his
             friends
             ,
             that
             loves
             his
             friends
             onely
             :
             yet
             neve●thelesse
             we
             
             think
             him
             not
             worthy
             of
             the
             common
             name
             of
             studious
             men
             without
             any
             addition
             .
             But
             one
             that
             desires
             to
             know
             how
             his
             friends
             do
             ,
             I
             wonld
             not
             call
             him
             studious
             or
             desirous
             of
             hearing
             ,
             unlesse
             having
             a
             good
             fame
             and
             credit
             he
             should
             often
             desire
             to
             hear
             the
             same
             thing
             ,
             but
             if
             he
             should
             but
             once
             desi●e
             to
             hear
             it
             ,
             I
             would
             call
             him
             a
             Student
             or
             desiring
             man
             .
             Now
             reflect
             upon
             a
             curious
             man
             ,
             and
             tell
             me
             whether
             if
             any
             one
             should
             willingly
             hear
             a
             short
             tale
             not
             conducing
             at
             all
             unto
             his
             profit
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             of
             things
             not
             belonging
             unto
             him
             ,
             and
             this
             not
             with
             great
             eagernesse
             and
             often
             ,
             but
             very
             seldome
             and
             very
             modestly
             ,
             either
             in
             some
             banquet
             ,
             or
             in
             some
             meeting
             or
             assembly
             ,
             wouldest
             thou
             think
             him
             to
             be
             a
             curious
             man
             ?
             I
             conceive
             not
             ,
             but
             truly
             he
             that
             hath
             a
             care
             of
             that
             thing
             which
             he
             would
             willingly
             hear
             might
             seem
             indeed
             to
             be
             so
             .
             Wherefore
             
             the
             definition
             also
             of
             a
             curious
             man
             ought
             to
             be
             corrected
             by
             the
             same
             Rule
             as
             is
             that
             of
             a
             studious
             man
             .
             And
             therefore
             consider
             also
             ,
             whither
             the
             things
             formerly
             spoken
             ought
             to
             be
             amended
             .
             For
             why
             is
             he
             not
             unworthy
             of
             the
             name
             of
             a
             suspitious
             man
             ,
             who
             sometimes
             suspecteth
             something
             ,
             and
             he
             of
             a
             credulous
             man
             that
             sometimes
             believeth
             something
             ?
             Wherefore
             as
             there
             is
             a
             very
             great
             difference
             between
             one
             that
             is
             desirous
             of
             any
             thing
             ,
             and
             one
             that
             is
             altogether
             studious
             ,
             and
             again
             between
             one
             that
             hath
             a
             care
             of
             a
             thing
             ,
             and
             one
             that
             is
             curious
             :
             so
             is
             there
             between
             a
             believing
             man
             and
             a
             credulous
             man
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             X.
             
          
           
             Why
             cre●●lity
             is
             the
             way
             to
             Religion
             .
          
           
             BUt
             thou
             wilt
             say
             ,
             Now
             see
             whither
             we
             ought
             to
             believe
             in
             Religion
             .
             For
             neither
             if
             we
             grant
             it
             to
             be
             one
             thing
             to
             believe
             ,
             another
             to
             be
             credulous
             ,
             doth
             it
             follow
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             no
             fault
             to
             believe
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             :
             for
             what
             if
             it
             be
             a
             fault
             both
             to
             believe
             and
             to
             be
             credulous
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             both
             to
             be
             drunk
             and
             to
             be
             a
             drunkard
             ?
             whosoever
             thinks
             this
             to
             be
             certainly
             true
             ,
             can
             in
             my
             opinion
             have
             no
             friend
             at
             all
             .
             For
             if
             it
             be
             a
             thing
             unreasonable
             to
             believe
             any
             thing
             ,
             either
             he
             commits
             a
             foul
             fault
             that
             gives
             credit
             to
             his
             friend
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             believes
             him
             not
             ,
             I
             see
             not
             how
             he
             can
             call
             himself
             a
             friend
             ,
             or
             the
             other
             .
             Here
             peradventure
             thou
             wilt
             say
             ,
             I
             grant
             that
             something
             ought
             sometimes
             to
             be
             believed
             :
             now
             declare
             
             how
             in
             Religion
             it
             is
             not
             ●
             thing
             unreasonable
             to
             believe
             any
             thing
             before
             we
             know
             it
             ,
             or
             understand
             it
             .
             I
             will
             if
             I
             can
             .
             Wherefore
             I
             ask
             thee
             ,
             which
             doest
             thou
             conceive
             to
             be
             the
             greater
             ●ault
             ,
             to
             instruct
             an
             unworthy
             person
             in
             Religion
             ,
             or
             to
             believe
             that
             which
             is
             said
             by
             the
             instructours
             and
             teachers
             thereof
             ?
             if
             thou
             understandest
             not
             whom
             I
             call
             an
             unworthy
             person
             :
             such
             an
             one
             I
             mean
             as
             comes
             to
             receive
             and
             embrace
             Religion
             with
             a
             feigned
             and
             dissembling
             heart
             .
             Thou
             grantest
             ,
             as
             I
             conceive
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             a
             thing
             more
             worthy
             of
             blame
             to
             expound
             to
             such
             an
             one
             the
             holy
             mysteries
             of
             faith
             ,
             then
             to
             give
             credit
             to
             religious
             men
             ,
             affirming
             something
             of
             Religion
             it self
             .
             Neither
             would
             it
             become
             thee
             to
             give
             another
             answer
             .
             Wherefore
             now
             imagine
             with
             thy self
             ,
             that
             the
             man
             were
             present
             who
             is
             to
             in●truct
             thee
             in
             point
             of
             Religion
             :
             how
             wilt
             thou
             
             make
             him
             believe
             that
             thou
             comest
             with
             a
             true
             and
             an
             unfeigned
             mind
             ,
             and
             that
             thou
             usest
             no
             deceit
             nor
             dissimulation
             in
             this
             businesse
             ?
             thou
             wilt
             say
             that
             upon
             thy
             good
             conscience
             thou
             feignest
             nothing
             ,
             assuring
             it
             with
             all
             the
             words
             thou
             canst
             use
             ,
             but
             y●t
             with
             words
             .
             For
             being
             a
             man
             thou
             canst
             not
             so
             open
             the
             corners
             and
             secrets
             of
             thy
             mind
             to
             another
             man
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             know
             thee
             inwardly
             .
             And
             if
             he
             shall
             say
             :
             Behold
             I
             do
             believe
             thee
             :
             but
             is
             it
             not
             more
             fit
             that
             thou
             also
             shouldst
             give
             credit
             unto
             me
             ,
             seeing
             that
             if
             I
             hold
             and
             embrace
             any
             truth
             ,
             thou
             art
             to
             receive
             the
             benefit
             thereof
             ,
             and
             I
             to
             impart
             it
             ?
             What
             answer
             shall
             we
             give
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             ought
             to
             be
             believed
             ?
             but
             saist
             thou
             ,
             Had
             it
             not
             been
             be●ter
             to
             alledge
             reason
             unto
             me
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             followit
             without
             any
             rashnesse
             whithersoever
             it
             should
             lead
             me
             ?
             Perhaps
             it
             had
             been
             :
             but
             seeing
             that
             it
             
             is
             so
             great
             a
             matter
             for
             thee
             to
             know
             God
             by
             reason
             ,
             doest
             thou
             think
             that
             all
             men
             are
             capable
             of
             understanding
             the
             reasons
             whereby
             the
             mind
             of
             man
             is
             led
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             divine
             things●
             or
             the
             greater
             part
             of
             them●
             or
             but
             a
             few
             ?
             I
             think
             ,
             thou
             sayst
             but
             a
             few
             .
             Doest
             thou
             believe
             that
             thou
             art
             in
             that
             number
             ?
             Thou
             saist
             ,
             It
             is
             not
             my
             part
             to
             answer
             to
             that
             question
             .
             Thou
             thinkest
             then
             that
             it
             is
             his
             part
             also
             to
             believe
             thee
             in
             this
             matter
             :
             which
             he
             doth
             indeed
             .
             Onely
             let
             me
             put
             thee
             in
             mind
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             already
             twice
             given
             credit
             unto
             thee
             ,
             speak●●g
             uncertain
             things
             :
             and
             that
             thou
             wouldest
             not
             so
             much
             as
             once
             believe
             him
             ,
             whe●
             he
             religiously
             warned
             and
             admonished
             thee
             .
             But
             suppose
             this
             to
             be
             so
             ,
             and
             that
             thou
             comest
             with
             a
             ●incere
             mind
             to
             embrace
             Religion
             ,
             and
             that
             being
             one
             of
             those
             few
             men
             ,
             thou
             canst
             understand
             the
             reasons
             by
             
             which
             the
             divine
             power
             i●
             certainly
             known●
             doest
             thou
             think
             that
             Religion
             is
             to
             be
             denied
             to
             other
             men
             ,
             that
             have
             not
             so
             great
             wi●s
             and
             judgements
             as
             thou
             hast
             ?
             or
             doest
             thou
             conceive
             that
             by
             little
             and
             little
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             led
             by
             certain
             degrees
             to
             those
             chiefest
             secrets
             ?
             thou
             plainly
             seest
             what
             course
             of
             proceeding
             is
             the
             more
             religious
             .
             For
             thou
             canst
             not
             think
             that
             any
             man
             ought
             by
             any
             means
             to
             be
             forsaken
             or
             rejected
             in
             the
             desire
             and
             affection
             of
             so
             great
             a
             matter
             .
             But
             art
             not
             thou
             of
             opinion
             ,
             that
             unlesse
             a
             man
             ●irst
             beli●ves
             ,
             that
             he
             shall
             attain
             unto
             that
             which
             he
             intended
             ,
             and
             bears
             an
             humble
             and
             a
             suppliant
             mind
             ,
             and
             being
             obedient
             to
             certain
             great
             and
             necessary
             precepts●
             be
             very
             w●ll
             purged
             and
             made
             clean
             by
             a
             certain
             course
             of
             life
             ,
             he
             cannot
             otherwise
             obtain
             those
             things
             that
             are
             purely
             true
             ?
             indeed
             thou
             thinkest
             so
             .
             If
             then
             they
             ,
             who
             by
             
             certain
             reason
             can
             most
             easily
             conceive
             the
             divine
             mysteries
             ,
             (
             one
             of
             which
             sort
             I
             believe
             thee
             to
             be
             )
             should
             proceed
             in
             this
             way
             ,
             wherein
             those
             walk
             that
             first
             do
             believe
             ,
             would
             they
             receive
             any
             hu●t
             thereby
             ?
             I
             think
             not
             .
             But
             yet
             thou
             saist
             ,
             what
             necessity
             is
             there
             of
             delay
             ?
             because
             ,
             although
             by
             their
             proceedings
             they
             shall
             not
             prejudice
             themselves
             at
             all
             ,
             yet
             they
             will
             endamage
             others
             by
             their
             example
             .
             For
             there
             is
             hardly
             any
             one
             ,
             that
             hath
             so
             high
             a
             conceit
             of
             himself
             as
             he
             can
             have
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             thinks
             too
             humbly
             of
             himself
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             raised
             up
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             thinks
             too
             high
             ,
             ought
             to
             be
             repressed
             ,
             that
             neither
             the
             one
             may
             be
             overcome
             by
             despair
             ,
             nor
             the
             other
             cast
             down
             headlong
             by
             boldnesse
             and
             presumption
             .
             Which
             is
             easily
             brought
             to
             passe
             ,
             if
             even
             those
             that
             are
             able
             to
             flie
             ,
             should
             a
             little
             be
             enforced
             to
             go
             ,
             lest
             any
             should
             be
             dangerously
             
             invited
             thereunto
             ,
             and
             thereby
             also
             a
             sufficient
             care
             may
             be
             had
             of
             others
             .
             This
             is
             the
             Providence
             of
             true
             Religion
             :
             this
             God
             himself
             hath
             appointed
             and
             command●d
             :
             this
             hath
             been
             delivered
             by
             our
             Predecessours
             of
             happy
             m●mory
             ,
             this
             hath
             been
             observed
             even
             untill
             our
             dayes
             ;
             to
             go
             about
             to
             overthrow
             this
             order●
             is
             nothing
             else
             but
             to
             seek
             out
             a
             sacrilegious
             way
             to
             true
             Religion
             .
             Which
             whosoever
             do
             ,
             cannot
             attain
             unto
             that
             which
             they
             intend
             ;
             though
             that
             be
             granted
             them
             which
             they
             desire
             .
             For
             
               howsoever
               they
               surpasse
               and
               excell
               in
               wit
               ,
               unlesse
               the
               divine
               Majesty
               doth
               aid
               and
               assist
               them
               ,
               they
               creep
               upon
               the
               ground
               .
            
             Which
             assistance
             he
             then
             affords
             when
             they
             that
             tend
             and
             walk
             towards
             him
             ,
             have
             a
             care
             to
             proceed
             according
             to
             the
             course
             of
             humane
             society
             .
             Then
             which
             degree
             and
             step
             towards
             heaven
             nothing
             can
             be
             found
             
             more
             firm
             and
             stable
             .
             Verily
             ,
             such
             is
             the
             force
             and
             efficacy
             of
             this
             reason
             ,
             that
             I
             cannot
             re●i●t
             it
             ,
             for
             how
             can
             I
             say
             ,
             that
             nothing
             ought
             to
             be
             believed
             unlesse
             it
             be
             known
             ?
             besides
             all
             friendship
             is
             taken
             away
             unlesse
             something
             may
             be
             believed
             which
             cannot
             be
             demonstrated
             and
             proved
             by
             certain
             reason
             :
             and
             oftentimes
             without
             offence
             credit
             may
             be
             given
             to
             such
             stewards
             as
             are
             servants
             to
             Lords
             .
             But
             in
             matters
             of
             Religion
             what
             can
             be
             done
             that
             is
             more
             unreasonable
             and
             unjust
             ,
             then
             that
             Gods
             Prelates
             should
             believe
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             promise
             that
             we
             come
             to
             embrace
             Religion
             with
             an
             unfeigned
             mind
             ;
             and
             we
             refuse
             to
             give
             credit
             unto
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             teach
             and
             instruct
             us
             ?
             Finally
             ,
             what
             way
             can
             be
             more
             wholesome
             and
             profitable
             ,
             then
             by
             believing
             those
             things
             which
             God
             hath
             appointed
             as
             preparatives
             for
             the
             culti●ating
             and
             adoring
             the
             mind
             to
             be
             
             first
             disposed
             ,
             and
             made
             fit
             to
             understand
             and
             receive
             the
             truth
             ?
             or
             if
             thou
             beest
             already
             sufficiently
             disposed
             thereunto
             ,
             rather
             to
             go
             a
             little
             about
             ,
             where
             thou
             maist
             walk
             with
             the
             greatest
             safety
             ,
             then
             bo●h
             to
             be
             the
             Authour
             of
             danger
             to
             thy self
             ,
             and
             an
             example
             of
             temerity
             ,
             and
             rashnesse
             unto
             others
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XI
             .
          
           
             Of
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             Belief
             and
             Opinion
             .
          
           
             VVE
             have
             shewed
             already
             how
             without
             offence
             we
             may
             follow
             those
             that
             command
             us
             to
             believe
             :
             it
             remains
             that
             we
             consider
             for
             what
             cause
             they
             are
             not
             to
             be
             followed
             that
             promise
             to
             conduct
             and
             lead
             us
             by
             reason
             .
             Some
             are
             of
             opinion
             that
             they
             can
             ●earken
             and
             give
             eare
             to
             these
             promisers
             of
             reason
             ,
             not
             onely
             without
             any
             blame
             or
             
             dispraise
             ,
             but
             also
             with
             some
             commendation
             and
             praise
             ;
             but
             it
             is
             not
             so
             ,
             for
             there
             be
             two
             sorts
             of
             persons
             that
             deserve
             praise
             in
             point
             of
             Religion
             :
             the
             one
             which
             hath
             already
             found
             out
             the
             true
             Religion
             ,
             which
             we
             ought
             to
             judge
             most
             happy
             and
             blessed
             :
             the
             other
             which
             with
             the
             greatest
             care
             ,
             and
             after
             the
             rightest
             manner
             ,
             doth
             seek
             after
             it
             :
             the
             first
             sort
             is
             now
             in
             possession
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             second
             is
             in
             the
             way
             ,
             by
             which
             notwithstanding
             most
             certainly
             they
             will
             arrive
             at
             it
             .
             There
             be
             three
             other
             kinds
             of
             men
             which
             are
             indeed
             to
             be
             misliked
             and
             detested
             .
             The
             first
             is
             ,
             of
             those
             that
             are
             opinative
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             who
             think
             they
             know
             that
             which
             they
             know
             not
             .
             The
             second
             is
             ,
             of
             those
             who
             truly
             do
             perceive
             their
             own
             ignorance
             ,
             but
             do
             not
             so
             seek
             that
             they
             may
             find
             .
             The
             third
             is
             of
             those
             that
             ●either
             think
             they
             know
             ,
             nor
             have
             any
             will
             or
             desire
             to
             
             seek
             .
             There
             are
             also
             three
             things
             in
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             near
             as
             it
             were
             the
             one
             unto
             the
             other
             ,
             most
             worthy
             to
             be
             distinguished
             ,
             to
             understand
             ,
             to
             believe
             ,
             and
             to
             think
             .
             Of
             which
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             considered
             by
             themselves
             ,
             the
             first
             is
             alwaies
             without
             offence
             ,
             the
             second
             sometimes
             faultie
             ,
             the
             third
             never
             without
             a
             fault
             ;
             and
             this
             we
             ought
             to
             reserve
             to
             the
             same
             beatitude
             and
             felicity
             .
             For
             in
             this
             life
             how
             much
             soever
             a
             man
             knows
             his
             knowledge
             doth
             not
             as
             yet
             make
             him
             most
             blessed
             ,
             for
             that
             there
             be
             incomparably
             more
             things
             whereof
             he
             is
             ignorant
             .
             For
             to
             understand
             great
             and
             worthy
             ,
             and
             divine
             things
             it
             is
             a
             most
             blessed
             thing
             .
             But
             it
             is
             not
             hurt
             full
             to
             understand
             superfluous
             things
             ,
             but
             perhaps
             it
             was
             prejudicial
             to
             learn
             them
             ,
             when
             as
             they
             took
             up
             the
             time
             of
             necessary
             things
             .
             Also
             it
             is
             not
             a
             miserable
             thing
             to
             understand
             hurtfull
             things
             ,
             but
             to
             do
             or
             suffer
             them
             .
             
             For
             if
             any
             one
             understands
             how
             his
             enemie
             may
             be
             slain
             without
             endangering
             himself
             he
             becomes
             not
             guilty
             by
             understanding
             it
             ,
             if
             he
             desires
             it
             not
             :
             yea
             if
             he
             be
             free
             from
             such
             a
             desire
             ,
             who
             is
             more
             innocent
             and
             guiltlesse
             then
             he
             ?
             In
             believing
             a
             man
             is
             then
             to
             blame
             ,
             when
             either
             he
             believes
             some
             unworthy
             thing
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             gives
             too
             facile
             and
             easie
             credit
             unto
             the
             things
             reported
             of
             man
             .
             But
             in
             other
             things
             ,
             if
             a
             man
             believes
             any
             thing
             ,
             he
             commits
             no
             fault
             by
             believing
             ,
             though
             he
             understands
             that
             he
             knows
             not
             the
             thing
             which
             he
             believes
             .
             For
             I
             believe
             that
             in
             times
             past
             ,
             most
             wicked
             conspiratours
             were
             put
             to
             death
             by
             the
             power
             and
             authority
             of
             
               Cicero
               :
            
             but
             this
             I
             do
             not
             onely
             not
             know
             ,
             but
             also
             I
             know
             assuredly
             that
             I
             can
             by
             no
             means
             attain
             unto
             the
             knowledge
             thereof
             ,
             To
             be
             opinative
             or
             to
             be
             led
             by
             opinion
             ,
             is
             for
             two
             causes
             an
             unseemly
             
             thing
             :
             First
             ,
             because
             he
             cannot
             learn
             a
             thing●
             if
             it
             be
             to
             be
             learned
             ,
             that
             hath
             perswaded
             himself
             that
             he
             knows
             it
             already
             .
             And
             secondly
             ,
             for
             that
             rashnesse
             is
             of
             itself
             a
             sign
             or
             token
             of
             an
             ill
             disposed
             minde
             .
             For
             although
             any
             one
             thinks
             that
             he
             knows
             that
             which
             I
             said
             touching
             
               Cicero
            
             (
             as
             there
             is
             nothing
             that
             can
             hinder
             him
             from
             learning
             it
             )
             yet
             because
             he
             can
             have
             no
             certain
             knowledge
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             for
             that
             he
             understands
             not
             ,
             That
             there
             is
             a
             great
             difference
             ,
             whither
             any
             thing
             be
             comprehended
             by
             certain
             reason
             of
             mind
             ,
             which
             we
             say
             is
             to
             understand
             ,
             or
             whither
             it
             be
             committed
             to
             common
             fame
             or
             writing
             ,
             to
             be
             profitably
             believed
             by
             posterity
             ,
             he
             erres
             indeed
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             errour
             but
             hath
             its
             foulnesse
             and
             deformity
             .
             Wherefore
             that
             we
             understand
             we
             attribute
             it
             to
             reason
             :
             that
             we
             believe
             ,
             to
             authority
             ;
             and
             that
             we
             are
             opinative
             ,
             
             to
             errour
             and
             mistaking
             :
             but
             every
             one
             that
             understands
             doth
             also
             believe
             :
             and
             so
             doth
             every
             one
             that
             is
             opinative
             :
             but
             not
             every
             one
             that
             beli●ves
             ,
             understands
             :
             and
             no
             man
             understands
             that
             is
             opinative
             .
             If
             therefore
             these
             three
             kinds
             be
             referred
             to
             those
             five
             sorts
             of
             men
             whereof
             we
             made
             mention
             a
             little
             before
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             to
             the
             two
             approved
             kinds
             which
             we
             put
             in
             the
             first
             place
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             other
             three
             vicious
             kinds
             ;
             we
             find
             that
             the
             first
             kind
             (
             which
             is
             those
             that
             are
             happy
             )
             doth
             believe
             truth
             it self
             :
             and
             that
             the
             second
             kind
             (
             which
             is
             those
             that
             are
             desirous
             and
             lovers
             of
             truth
             )
             doth
             believe
             authority
             :
             in
             both
             which
             kinds
             the
             believers
             deserve
             praise
             .
             But
             in
             the
             first
             of
             the
             vicious
             kinds
             (
             that
             is
             of
             those
             that
             think
             they
             know
             that
             which
             they
             know
             not
             )
             there
             is
             indeed
             a
             faulty
             credulity
             .
             The
             other
             two
             disallo●ed
             kinds
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             both
             
             those
             that
             seek
             after
             truth
             with
             a
             despair
             of
             finding
             it
             out
             ,
             and
             they
             that
             seek
             not
             after
             it
             )
             do
             believe
             nothing
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             onely
             in
             things
             belonging
             to
             some
             doctrine
             or
             discipline
             ,
             for
             how
             a
             man
             can
             believe
             nothing
             in
             the
             other
             actions
             of
             his
             life
             I
             understand
             not
             .
             Albeit
             even
             amongst
             those
             that
             affirm
             that
             in
             their
             actions
             they
             follow
             probable
             opinions
             ,
             some
             there
             be
             that
             will
             seem
             rather
             not
             able
             to
             know
             any
             thing
             ,
             then
             to
             believe
             nothing
             .
             For
             who
             doth
             not
             believe
             that
             which
             he
             doth
             approve
             ?
             Or
             how
             is
             that
             which
             they
             follow
             profitable
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             approved
             ?
             Wherefore
             there
             may
             be
             two
             kinds
             of
             those
             that
             oppose
             the
             truth
             :
             the
             one
             that
             opposeth
             knowledge
             onely
             ,
             and
             not
             faith
             :
             the
             other
             that
             condemneth
             both
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             .
             But
             whither
             any
             can
             be
             found
             that
             use
             such
             proceedings
             in
             humane
             af●airs
             ,
             I
             am
             wholly
             ignorant
             .
             These
             
             things
             are
             spoken
             that
             we
             may
             understand
             ,
             that
             believing
             the
             things
             which
             we
             do
             not
             as
             yet
             fully
             know
             nor
             understand
             ,
             we
             are
             vindicated
             and
             defended
             from
             the
             rashnesse
             and
             temerity
             of
             opinative
             men
             .
             As
             for
             them
             that
             say
             that
             we
             ought
             to
             believe
             nothing
             ,
             but
             that
             which
             we
             k●ow
             ,
             they
             have
             ●nely
             regard
             to
             the
             name
             of
             opinion
             ,
             which
             I
             confesse
             is
             but
             base
             and
             ignominious
             :
             but
             if
             any
             one
             will
             consider
             attentively
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             a
             very
             great
             difference
             between
             these
             two
             things
             ,
             whither
             a
             man
             thinks
             that
             he
             knows
             a
             thing
             ,
             or
             whither
             being
             moved
             by
             some
             authority
             ,
             he
             believes
             that
             which
             he
             understands
             that
             he
             knows
             not
             ,
             he
             shall
             certainly
             shun
             and
             avoid
             the
             crime
             both
             of
             errour
             ,
             inhumanity
             and
             pride
             .
          
           
             
               Observation
               .
            
             
               S.
               
                 A●g●stine
              
               in
               his
               first
               book
               
               of
               Retractations
               and
               fourteenth
               Chapter
               ,
               would
               have
               those
               words
               .
               
                 (
                 The
                 one
                 which
                 hath
                 already
                 found
                 out
                 the
                 true
                 Religion
                 which
                 we
                 ought
                 to
                 judge
                 most
                 happy
                 a●d
                 most
                 blessed
                 )
              
               so
               to
               be
               understood
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               most
               blessed
               not
               in
               this
               life
               ,
               b●t
               in
               that
               which
               we
               hope
               for
               ,
               and
               unto
               which
               we
               go
               by
               the
               way
               of
               Faith
               ,
               for
               (
               saith
               he
               )
               they
               are
               to
               be
               conceived
               to
               have
               found
               out
               that
               which
               is
               to
               be
               sought
               for
               ,
               who
               are
               there
               already●
               whither
               we
               by
               seeking
               and
               believing●
               that
               is
               by
               embracing
               the
               way
               of
               Faith
               do
               desire
               to
               arrive
               .
            
             
               And
               again
               he
               affirms
               that
               those
               words
               :
               To
               understand
               great
               and
               worthy
               and
               divine
               things
               ,
               it
               is
               a
               most
               blessed
               thing●
               ought
               to
               be
               referred
               to
               eternall
               beatitude
               .
            
             
               And
               upon
               these
               words
               :
               (
               There
               is
               a
               great
               difference
               whither
               any
               thing
               be
               comprehended
               by
               certain
               reason
               of
               mind
               ,
               which
               we
               ●ay
               ,
               is
               
               to
               understand
               :
               or
               whither
               it
               be
               committed
               to
               common
               fame
               ,
               or
               writing
               to
               be
               pro●itably
               believed
               by
               posterity
               ;
               )
               and
               upon
               these
               :
               (
               That
               we
               understand
               we
               attribute
               it
               to
               reason
               :
               that
               we
               believe
               to
               authority
               )
               he
               maketh
               this
               explication
               :
               This
               is
               not
               so
               to
               be
               understood
               that
               in
               common
               discourse
               we
               should
               be
               afraid
               to
               say
               we
               know
               that
               which
               we
               beli●ve
               by
               credible
               witnesses
               ,
               for
               when
               ●e
               speak
               properly
               ,
               we
               are
               onely
               said
               to
               know
               that
               which
               we
               comprehend
               by
               firm
               reason
               of
               mind
               .
               But
               when
               we
               speak
               with
               words
               more
               fit
               to
               be
               commonly
               used
               ,
               as
               the
               Scripture
               also
               speaketh
               ,
               we
               make
               no
               doubt
               to
               say
               ,
               that
               we
               know
               both
               that
               which
               we
               perceive
               by
               our
               corporall
               senses
               ,
               and
               which
               we
               believe
               upon
               the
               report
               of
               credible
               witnesses
               ,
               but
               yet
               so
               that
               we
               understand
               what
               difference
               there
               is
               between
               the
               one
               and
               the
               other
               .
            
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             XII
             .
          
           
             That
             it
             is
             the
             safest
             way
             to
             Believe
             Wise
             men
             .
          
           
             IF
             that
             which
             is
             not
             known
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             believed
             ,
             I
             ask
             then
             how
             can
             children
             obey
             parents
             and
             embrace
             them
             with
             mutuall
             love
             and
             affection
             ,
             whom
             they
             may
             believe
             not
             to
             be
             their
             parents
             ;
             for
             that
             who
             is
             their
             father
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             known
             by
             reason
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             believed
             upon
             the
             word
             and
             authority
             of
             the
             Mother
             :
             and
             as
             for
             the
             Mother
             ,
             she
             often
             is
             not
             believed
             ,
             but
             Midwives
             ,
             Nurses
             and
             Servants
             :
             For
             if
             her
             child
             may
             be
             stoln
             from
             her
             and
             another
             put
             in
             the
             place
             ,
             cannot
             she
             deceive
             being
             deceived
             ?
             and
             yet
             notwithstanding
             we
             believe
             ,
             and
             that
             without
             any
             doubt
             and
             staggering
             at
             all
             ,
             that
             which
             we
             confesse
             we
             cannot
             know
             :
             and
             unlesse
             this
             were
             
             so
             ,
             who
             sees
             not
             but
             that
             Piety
             the
             most
             holy
             tye
             and
             bond
             of
             mankind
             would
             be
             violated
             and
             defiled
             by
             a
             most
             proud
             wickednesse
             and
             offence
             ?
             For
             who
             ,
             though
             he
             be
             a
             mad
             man
             ,
             can
             think
             him
             worthy
             of
             blame
             ,
             who
             doth
             perform
             his
             obliged
             duties
             unto
             those
             whom
             he
             behev●s
             to
             be
             his
             parents
             ,
             although
             indeed
             they
             were
             not
             ?
             On
             the
             co●trary
             who
             will
             not
             think
             fit
             to
             have
             him
             cast
             out
             of
             the
             society
             of
             men
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             love
             those
             which
             perhaps
             are
             his
             true
             parents
             ,
             for
             fear
             les●
             he
             should
             love
             those
             that
             are
             false
             ones
             ?
             Many
             arguments
             may
             be
             brought
             to
             shew
             that
             nothing
             at
             all
             remains
             safe
             and
             secure
             in
             humane
             society
             if
             once
             we
             are
             resolved
             to
             believ●
             nothing
             which
             we
             cannot
             know
             nor
             understand
             .
             But
             now
             hear
             tha●
             whereby
             I
             am
             confident
             I
             shall
             at
             the
             present
             more
             easily
             draw
             and
             perswade
             thee
             ,
             that
             seein●
             the
             question
             
             is
             concerning
             Religion
             ,
             that
             is
             about
             the
             worship
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             knowledge
             of
             Divine
             things
             )
             those
             are
             les●e
             to
             be
             followed
             ,
             and
             hearkned
             unto
             ,
             who
             most
             readily
             promising
             reason
             ,
             do
             forbid
             and
             prohibite
             us
             to
             believe
             .
             No
             man
             doubts
             ,
             but
             that
             all
             men
             are
             either
             fools
             or
             wise
             men
             ;
             I
             call
             not
             those
             wisemen
             here
             ,
             that
             are
             prudent
             ,
             ingenious
             ,
             and
             witty
             but
             those
             that
             are
             endued
             with
             as
             firm
             and
             certain
             a
             knowledge
             both
             of
             Divine
             and
             Huma●e
             things
             as
             man
             is
             capable
             to
             receive
             and
             do
             lead
             their
             lives
             and
             frame
             their
             manners
             conformable
             thereunto
             :
             but
             as
             for
             others
             ,
             how
             learned
             or
             unlearned
             soever
             they
             be●
             or
             whither
             they
             deserve
             to
             be
             praised
             or
             d●spraised
             for
             the
             manner
             of
             their
             lives●
             I
             repute
             and
             account
             them
             in
             the
             number
             of
             fools
             :
             which
             being
             so
             ,
             what
             man
             ,
             though
             but
             of
             a
             slender
             understanding
             doth
             not
             plainly
             see
             ,
             that
             
             it
             is
             more
             wholesome
             and
             profitable
             for
             fools
             to
             obey
             the
             precepts
             and
             commands
             of
             wise
             men
             ,
             then
             to
             frame
             and
             order
             their
             lives
             according
             to
             their
             own
             judgements
             and
             fancies
             ?
             For
             every
             thing
             that
             is
             done
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             not
             rightly
             done
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             fault
             :
             nor
             can
             any
             thing
             be
             by
             any
             means
             rightly
             done
             ,
             which
             doth
             not
             flow
             and
             proceed
             from
             right
             reason
             ;
             now
             right
             reason
             is
             virtue
             it self
             ;
             But
             amongst
             what
             sorts
             of
             men
             is
             virtue
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             mind
             of
             a
             wise
             man
             ?
             wherefore
             the
             wiseman
             onely
             offends
             not
             ;
             but
             every
             fool
             offends
             ,
             unlesse
             it
             be
             in
             those
             actions
             wherein
             he
             doth
             obey
             a
             wise
             man
             ;
             for
             such
             actions
             do
             proceed
             from
             right
             reason●
             nor
             is
             the
             fool
             to
             be
             accounred
             Master
             (
             as
             I
             may
             say
             )
             of
             his
             own
             actions●
             he
             being
             as
             it
             were
             but
             the
             instrument
             or
             servant
             of
             the
             wise
             man
             .
             Wherefore
             if
             it
             be
             better
             for
             all
             men
             not
             to
             
             offend
             then
             to
             offend●
             verily
             ●●l
             fools
             would
             live
             better
             if
             they
             could
             be
             servants
             to
             wise
             men
             .
             And
             if
             this
             without
             doubt
             be
             ●●t
             and
             expedient
             in
             things
             of
             lesse
             moment
             ,
             as
             in
             buying
             or
             tilling
             a
             field
             ,
             in
             marrying
             a
             wi●e
             ,
             in
             the
             education
             and
             breeding
             of
             children
             ,
             and
             finally
             in
             the
             managi●g
             of
             private
             affairs
             :
             much
             more
             is
             it
             expedient
             in
             matters
             of
             Rel●gion
             .
             For
             Hu●ane
             things
             are
             both
             more
             easie
             to
             be
             known
             then
             Divine
             :
             and
             in
             all
             things
             that
             are
             more
             holy
             and
             more
             exce●lent
             ,
             we
             sinne
             so
             much
             the
             more
             g●ievously
             and
             dangerously●
             by
             how
             much
             we
             ow●
             unto
             them
             a
             greater
             honour
             ,
             reverence
             and
             re●pect
             .
             Wherefore
             thou
             ●●●st
             that
             from
             hence
             forth
             there
             remains
             nothing
             more
             for
             us
             to
             do
             ,
             so
             long
             as
             we
             are
             fools●
             but
             ,
             if
             we
             desire
             to
             lead
             a
             good
             and
             a
             religious
             life
             ,
             to
             seek
             out
             wi●e
             and
             prudent
             men
             ,
             that
             by
             obeying
             of
             them
             
             we
             may
             not
             so
             much
             feel
             the
             dominion
             of
             ●olly
             ,
             whilst
             it
             is
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             at
             the
             length
             we
             may
             become
             wise
             men
             our selves
             .
          
           
             
               An
               Observation
               .
            
             
               S.
               
                 Augustine
              
               in
               his
               first
               book
               of
               Retractions
               ,
               and
               fourteenth
               chapter
               advertiseth
               that
               his
               division
               of
               men
               into
               wise
               men
               and
               fools
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               understood
               of
               men
               after
               they
               come
               to
               the
               use
               of
               reason
               ,
               whereby
               they
               are
               distinguished
               from
               beasts
               ,
               as
               we
               say
               all
               men
               desire
               to
               be
               blessed
               ,
               wherein
               little
               children
               cannot
               be
               included
               for
               they
               cannot
               yet
               de●ire
               it
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIII
             .
          
           
             That
             Religion
             takes
             her
             beginning
             from
             Believing
             .
          
           
             HEre
             again
             ariseth
             a
             questio●
             of
             great
             difficulty
             :
             for
             how
             
             shall
             we
             that
             are
             fools
             be
             able
             to
             find
             out
             a
             wise
             man
             ,
             ●eeing
             that
             divers
             do
             indifferently
             challenge
             that
             name
             unto
             themselves
             ,
             although
             almost
             none
             dare
             presume
             to
             do
             it
             openly
             ,
             when
             as
             they
             do
             so
             disagree
             amongst
             themselves
             about
             those
             things
             ,
             in
             the
             knowledge
             whereof
             wisdome
             doth
             consist
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             necessary
             to
             think
             that
             either
             none
             of
             them
             are
             wise
             men
             ,
             or
             that
             there
             is
             but
             one
             certain
             wiseman
             .
             But
             when
             a
             fool
             enquires
             who
             that
             is
             ,
             truly
             I
             s●e
             not
             by
             what
             means
             he
             can
             be
             plainly
             discerned
             and
             perce●ved
             :
             for
             a
             man
             cannot
             know
             any
             thing
             by
             any
             signs
             whatsoever
             ,
             unlesse
             he
             knows
             the
             thing
             it self
             ,
             whereof
             these
             be
             the
             signs
             ;
             but
             a
             fool
             knows
             not
             wisdome
             .
             For
             wisdome
             is
             not
             like
             gold
             and
             silver
             and
             such
             like
             things
             ,
             which
             thou
             mayest
             both
             know
             when
             thou
             seest
             ,
             and
             yet
             not
             enjoy
             and
             possesse
             them
             :
             he
             that
             
             wants
             wisdome
             cannot
             see
             nor
             behold
             it
             with
             the
             eye
             of
             his
             mind
             :
             for
             all
             the
             things
             which
             we
             perceive
             with
             our
             corporall
             senses
             ,
             are
             outwardly
             proposed
             and
             presented
             unto
             us
             ;
             and
             therefore
             we
             may
             behold
             strange
             and
             externall
             things
             with
             our
             eyes
             albeit
             we
             have
             not
             any
             of
             the
             things
             ,
             nor
             any
             thing
             of
             that
             kind
             :
             but
             that
             which
             is
             perceived
             by
             the
             understanding●
             is
             inwardly
             in
             the
             mind
             ,
             and
             it
             i●
             nothing
             el●e
             to
             have
             it
             ,
             but
             to
             see
             and
             behold
             it
             .
             But
             a
             fool
             wants
             wisdome
             ,
             and
             therefore
             knowes
             it
             not
             ,
             for
             he
             cannot
             see
             it
             with
             his
             eyes
             ;
             for
             he
             cannot
             see
             it
             and
             not
             have
             it
             :
             and
             he
             cannot
             have
             it
             and
             still
             continue
             and
             remain
             a
             fool
             :
             wherefore
             he
             knows
             it
             not
             ,
             and
             whilst
             he
             knows
             it
             not
             ,
             he
             cannot
             know
             it
             in
             another
             place
             :
             and
             therefore
             no
             man
             so
             long
             as
             he
             remains
             a
             fool
             ,
             can
             by
             most
             certain
             knowledge
             find
             out
             a
             wise
             man
             ,
             by
             obeying
             of
             
             whose
             precepts
             and
             commands
             he
             may
             be
             freed
             from
             so
             great
             an
             ev●l
             as
             folly
             is
             .
             Now
             it
             is
             God
             onely
             that
             can
             give
             satisfaction
             to
             this
             mighty
             difficulty
             ,
             and
             afford
             remedy
             for
             this
             g●eat
             evil
             ;
             and
             because
             our
             question
             is
             ●bout
             Religion
             ,
             unlesse
             we
             both
             believe
             that
             there
             is
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             gives
             assistance
             to
             humane
             minds
             ,
             we
             ought
             not
             indeed
             to
             inquire
             and
             seek
             for
             true
             Religion
             .
             For
             what
             do
             we
             desire
             to
             find
             out
             at
             length
             by
             so
             great
             an
             endeavour
             ?
             What
             wish
             we
             to
             attain
             unto
             ?
             Whither
             do
             we
             long
             to
             arrive
             ?
             Is
             it
             unto
             that
             thing
             which
             we
             believe
             not
             to
             have
             a
             being
             nor
             to
             belong
             and
             appertain
             unto
             us
             ?
             Nothing
             is
             more
             perverse
             then
             such
             a
             mind
             .
             When
             thou
             durst
             no●
             beg
             a
             favour
             of
             me●
             or
             with
             impudence
             durst
             crave
             one
             dost
             thou
             come
             to
             demand
             how
             Religion
             may
             be
             found
             out
             ,
             when
             thou
             thinkest
             not
             that
             there
             is
             a
             God
             .
             
             and
             that
             we
             care
             not
             whither
             there
             be
             any
             or
             no
             ?
             What
             if
             it
             be
             so
             great
             a
             matter●
             that
             unlesse
             it
             be
             diligently
             sought
             for
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             might
             and
             power
             it
             cannot
             be
             found
             out
             ?
             What
             if
             the
             extream
             difficulty
             of
             finding
             out
             the
             meaning
             and
             understanding
             of
             that
             which
             shall
             be
             found
             out
             doth
             vex
             and
             trouble
             the
             mind
             of
             the
             seeker
             ?
             For
             what
             is
             more
             pleasant
             and
             familiar
             to
             our
             eyes
             ,
             then
             this
             light
             is
             ?
             and
             yet
             a●ter
             long
             obscurity
             and
             darknesse
             they
             cannot
             endure
             it
             .
             What
             is
             more
             fit
             and
             commodious
             for
             a
             body
             that
             is
             consumed
             and
             exhausted
             with
             sicknesse
             ,
             then
             meat
             and
             drink
             ?
             Yet
             we
             see
             that
             those
             that
             are
             upon
             recovery
             are
             restrained
             and
             kept
             back
             that
             they
             may
             not
             pres●me
             to
             feed
             so
             plentifully
             as
             well
             men
             do
             ,
             lest
             by
             a
             full
             diet
             they
             should
             return
             to
             their
             former
             di●ease
             .
             I
             speak
             of
             those
             that
             are
             recovering
             their
             health
             :
             but
             
             what
             do
             we
             not
             enforce
             the
             sick
             men
             themselves
             to
             eat
             something
             ?
             which
             is
             so
             great
             a
             trouble
             unto
             them
             ,
             that
             certainly
             they
             would
             not
             obey
             us●
             did
             they
             not
             believe
             that
             they
             shall
             escape
             that
             sicknesse
             thereby
             .
             When
             therefore
             wilt
             thou
             settle
             thy self
             to
             a
             most
             painfull
             and
             labo●ious
             search
             ?
             When
             wilt
             thou
             adventure
             to
             take
             so
             great
             care
             and
             labour
             upon
             thee
             ,
             as
             this
             businesse
             doth
             deserve
             ,
             when
             as
             thou
             dost
             not
             believe
             that
             there
             is
             any
             such
             thing
             as
             that
             which
             thou
             seekest
             ?
             Wherefore
             it
             was
             rightly
             instituted
             and
             ordained
             by
             the
             majesty
             of
             Catholick
             discipline
             ,
             that
             before
             all
             things
             they
             should
             be
             induced
             and
             perswaded
             to
             believe
             ,
             that
             come
             to
             receive
             and
             embrace
             Religion
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             XIV
             .
          
           
             That
             Christ
             himself
             chiefly
             exacted
             belief
             .
          
           
             SEeing
             my
             discourse
             is
             concerning
             th●se
             that
             desire
             to
             be
             called
             Christians●
             I
             pray
             tell
             me
             what
             reason
             can
             that
             heretick
             alledge
             unto
             me
             ?
             What
             can
             he
             say
             to
             draw
             me
             from
             Believing
             ,
             as
             from
             a
             rash
             and
             incons●de●ate
             thing
             ?
             If
             he
             commands
             me
             to
             believe
             nothing●
             then
             do
             I
             not
             believe
             that
             there
             ●s
             any
             true
             Religion
             in
             the
             world
             :
             and
             becau●e
             〈◊〉
             do
             not
             believe
             that
             there
             is
             ●ny
             s●ch
             thing
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             ●eek
             after
             it
             .
             But
             he
             (
             as
             conceive
             )
             will
             sh●w
             it
             to
             the
             ●eeker
             ;
             For
             so
             it
             is
             written
             :
             He
             that
             seeks
             shall
             find
             .
             ●here●ore
             I
             would
             not
             c●m●
             to
             him
             that
             ●orbids
             me
             to
             b●lieve
             ,
             unlesse
             I
             believed
             something
             .
             ●s
             there
             any
             greater
             madnesse
             ,
             then
             that
             I
             should
             displease
             
             them
             onely
             with
             a
             belief
             which
             is
             supported
             by
             no
             knowledge●
             a●d
             yet
             that
             belief
             alone
             ha●h
             b●o●ght
             me
             to
             the
             ●elf
             same
             man
             ?
             What
             shall
             I
             say●
             but
             that
             all
             Hereticks
             do
             exhort
             us
             to
             believe
             Christ
             ?
             Can
             they
             be
             mo●e
             oppo●ite
             and
             contrary
             to
             themselves
             ?
             Wherein
             they
             are
             to
             be
             pressed
             two
             manner
             of
             way●s
             .
             First
             they
             are
             to
             be
             asked
             ,
             where
             is
             the
             reason
             which
             they
             promised
             ,
             where
             the
             re●●●hension
             and
             blaming
             of
             rashnesse
             where
             the
             presumption
             of
             science
             and
             knowledge
             ?
             for
             if
             it
             be
             an
             ab●u●d
             thing
             to
             be●●eve
             anyone
             without
             reason
             w●y
             〈…〉
             expect●
             why
             dost
             thou
             go
             〈…〉
             to
             have
             me
             believe
             any
             one
             without
             ●eason
             that
             I
             may
             ●o●e
             easi●y
             〈…〉
             by
             thy
             reaso●
             ?
             ●ill
             thy
             rea●●n
             bu●●d
             any
             thi●g
             that
             is
             firm
             &
             stable
             upon
             t●e
             foundation
             of
             temer●●y
             &
             ●ashnesse
             ?
             I
             speak
             according
             to
             ●hem
             whom
             we
             discontent
             &
             di●please
             by
             believing
             .
             
             For
             to
             believe
             before
             reason
             ,
             when
             thou
             art
             not
             yet
             fit
             to
             conceive
             and
             understand
             it
             ,
             and
             by
             faith
             it self
             to
             prepare
             the
             mind
             to
             receive
             the
             seeds
             of
             verity
             and
             truth
             ,
             I
             judge
             it
             to
             be
             not
             onely
             a
             most
             wholsome
             and
             profitable
             thing
             ,
             but
             also
             so
             necessary
             ,
             that
             tho●e
             that
             have
             sick
             and
             feeble
             minds
             cannot
             recover
             their
             healths
             without
             it
             :
             which
             because
             they
             conceive
             to
             be
             a
             ridiculous
             thing
             and
             full
             of
             rashnesse
             ,
             it
             is
             impudently
             done
             of
             them
             to
             perswade
             and
             exhort
             us
             to
             believe
             Christ
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             I
             confesse
             that
             I
             have
             already
             believed
             Christ
             ,
             and
             have
             p●rswaded
             my self
             ,
             that
             that
             is
             true
             which
             he
             hath
             said●
             although
             this
             my
             belief
             be
             supported
             by
             no
             reason
             .
             This
             is
             the
             first
             lesson
             O
             heretick
             which
             thou
             wilt
             teach
             me
             ;
             but
             becau●e
             I
             have
             not
             seen
             Christ
             himself
             ,
             how
             he
             vouchsafed
             to
             appear
             amongst
             men
             ,
             who
             is
             publickly
             
             reported
             to
             have
             been
             seen
             even
             by
             the
             eyes
             of
             common
             people
             give
             me
             leave
             a
             little
             to
             consider
             with
             my self
             upon
             whose
             words
             I
             have
             believed
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             a
             Christ
             ,
             that
             being
             already
             guarded
             and
             fortified
             by
             such
             a
             faith
             ,
             I
             may
             give
             ear
             and
             hearken
             unto
             thee
             ;
             I
             perceive
             that
             I
             believed
             and
             gave
             credit
             unto
             none
             ,
             but
             to
             a
             setled
             and
             confirmed
             opinion
             ,
             and
             to
             a
             most
             renowned
             fame
             and
             report
             of
             people
             and
             nations
             :
             these
             people
             also
             I
             see
             in
             all
             places
             to
             be
             in
             possession
             of
             the
             secrets
             and
             mysteries
             of
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             .
             Why
             shall
             not
             I
             then
             chiefly
             enquire
             of
             them
             diligently
             what
             Christ
             hath
             commanded●
             by
             whose
             authority
             being
             moved
             ,
             I
             have
             already
             believed
             that
             Christ
             hath
             commanded
             some
             profitable
             thing
             ?
             Wilt
             thou
             better
             expound
             unto
             me
             what●
             Christ
             hath
             ●aid
             ?
             whom
             I
             would
             not
             think
             to
             have
             been
             ,
             or
             now
             to
             be
             ,
             
             if
             thou
             didst
             recommend
             it
             unto
             me
             to
             be
             believed
             .
             This
             therefore
             (
             as
             I
             said
             )
             have
             I
             believed
             upon
             a
             famous
             report
             of
             men
             ,
             confirmed
             with
             consent
             and
             antiquity
             :
             but
             you
             who
             a●e
             both
             so
             few
             ,
             and
             so
             turbulent
             ,
             and
             so
             new
             ,
             it
             is
             certain
             you
             can
             produce
             and
             bring
             forth
             nothing
             which
             may
             de●erve
             c●edit
             and
             belief
             .
             And
             therefore
             what
             a
             madnesse
             is
             this
             in
             thee
             (
             to
             say
             )
             Be●ieve
             them
             (
             the
             known
             multitude
             of
             Christendome
             )
             that
             we
             ought
             to
             be●ieve
             Christ
             ,
             but
             learn
             of
             us
             (
             Manicheans
             )
             what
             Christ
             hath
             said
             :
             Why
             so
             I
             beseech
             thee
             ?
             Verily●
             if
             that
             known
             multitude
             should
             fail●
             and
             could
             teach
             me
             nothing
             :
             I
             shou●d
             much
             more
             easily
             per●wade
             my self
             ,
             tha●
             〈◊〉
             ought
             not
             to
             believe
             Ch●ist
             at
             all
             then
             that
             ●
             ought
             to
             believe
             any
             thing
             concerning
             him
             of
             any
             others
             bnt
             o●
             tho●e
             by
             whose
             means
             I
             first
             believed
             him
             .
             O
             migh●y
             confidence
             ,
             
             or
             rather
             folly
             !
             I
             will
             (
             sayst
             thou
             )
             teach
             thee
             what
             Christ
             hath
             commanded
             ,
             in
             whom
             thou
             art
             already
             perswaded
             to
             believe
             .
             What
             if
             I
             did
             not
             believe
             in
             him
             at
             all
             ,
             couldest
             thou
             teach
             me
             any
             thing
             concerning
             him
             ?
             But
             (
             sayst
             thou
             )
             it
             behooves
             thee
             to
             believe
             .
             What
             ,
             upon
             your
             warrant
             and
             recommendation
             ?
             No
             (
             sayst
             thou
             )
             for
             we
             do
             by
             reason
             lead
             those
             which
             do
             alre●dy
             believe
             in
             Christ
             .
             Why
             then
             shall
             I
             believe
             in
             him
             ?
             Because
             it
             is
             a
             grounded
             report●
             was
             it
             grounded
             upon
             you
             ,
             or
             upon
             others
             ?
             Upon
             others
             sayst
             thou
             .
             Shall
             I
             believe
             them
             first
             ,
             and
             be
             afterwards
             taught
             an●
             instructed
             by
             thee
             ?
             Peradventure
             ●
             ought
             to
             do
             so
             ,
             were
             I
             not
             above
             all
             things
             admonished
             by
             them
             not
             to
             come
             at
             all
             unto
             t●ee
             :
             for
             they
             say
             that
             you
             h●ld
             pernicious
             doctrines
             .
             Thou
             wilt
             answer●
             they
             lie
             .
             How
             ●hen
             may
             I
             believe
             them
             
             concerning
             Christ
             whom
             they
             have
             not
             seen
             :
             if
             I
             may
             not
             believe
             them
             concerning
             thee
             whom
             they
             will
             not
             see
             ?
             Here
             sayest
             thou
             ,
             Believe
             the
             Scriptures
             .
             But
             all
             Scripture
             ,
             if
             being
             new
             and
             unheard
             of
             ,
             it
             be
             alledged
             or
             commended
             but
             by
             a
             few●
             and
             hath
             no
             reason
             to
             confirm
             it
             ,
             receives
             no
             credit
             nor
             authority
             at
             all
             ,
             but
             those
             that
             alledge
             it
             :
             wherefore
             if
             you
             that
             are
             so
             few
             and
             unknown
             commend
             those
             Scriptures
             unto
             me
             ,
             I
             refuse
             to
             believe
             them
             :
             besides
             also
             you
             proceed
             against
             your
             promise
             ,
             rather
             by
             commanding
             belief
             ,
             then
             giving
             any
             reason
             thereof
             .
             Here
             again
             (
             for
             the
             authority
             of
             Scriptures
             )
             thou
             wilt
             call
             me
             back
             to
             the
             known
             multitude
             of
             Christendome
             ,
             and
             to
             common
             report
             .
             Restrain
             at
             length
             thy
             obstinacy
             ,
             and
             I
             know
             not
             what
             unruly
             appetite
             of
             worldly
             fame
             :
             and
             rather
             admonish
             me
             to
             seek
             out
             the
             chief
             rulers
             of
             this
             
             known
             multitude
             ,
             and
             to
             enquire
             for
             them
             diligently
             and
             painfully
             ,
             that
             rather
             I
             may
             learn
             something
             of
             them
             touching
             these
             Scriptures
             :
             who
             if
             they
             were
             not
             I
             should
             not
             know
             whither
             any
             thing
             ought
             to
             be
             learnt
             at
             all
             or
             no
             .
             As
             for
             thee
             ,
             return
             into
             thy
             corner
             and
             lurkinghole
             ,
             and
             delude
             us
             no
             more
             under
             a
             shew
             and
             pretence
             of
             truth
             ,
             which
             thou
             endeavourest
             to
             take
             away
             from
             them
             ,
             unto
             whom
             thou
             grante●●
             authority
             and
             credit
             :
             and
             if
             they
             also
             deny
             ,
             that
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             believe
             Christ●
             unlesse
             an
             undoubted
             reason
             can
             be
             rendred
             thereof
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             Christians
             .
             For
             certain
             Pagans
             do
             alledge
             that
             against
             us
             ,
             foolishly
             indeed
             ,
             but
             yet
             not
             contrary
             nor
             repugnant
             to
             themselves
             .
             But
             who
             can
             endure
             that
             those
             men
             should
             professe
             that
             they
             belong
             to
             Christ
             ,
             who
             strongly
             asfirm
             that
             nothing
             ought
             to
             be
             believed
             ,
             unlesse
             most
             
             evident
             reason
             can
             be
             given
             even
             unto
             fools
             ,
             concerning
             God
             and
             divine
             matters
             ?
             But
             we
             see
             that
             Christ
             himself
             (
             as
             that
             history
             teacheth
             which
             they
             also
             believe
             )
             desired
             nothing
             more
             principally
             ,
             nor
             more
             earnestly
             then
             that
             he
             might
             be
             credited
             and
             believed
             :
             when
             as
             they
             with
             whom
             he
             was
             to
             treat
             about
             those
             affairs
             were
             not
             yet
             fit
             to
             learn
             and
             conceive
             the
             divine
             mysteries
             .
             For
             to
             what
             other
             purpose
             did
             he
             work
             so
             great
             and
             so
             many
             miracles
             ,
             he
             himself
             also
             affirming
             that
             they
             were
             done
             for
             no
             other
             end
             but
             that
             men
             might
             give
             credit
             and
             beliefe
             unto
             him
             ?
             He
             led
             the
             simple
             sort
             of
             people
             by
             belief
             :
             you
             lead
             them
             by
             reason
             :
             he
             cryed
             out
             that
             he
             might
             be
             believed
             you
             cry
             out
             against
             it
             :
             he
             commended
             those
             that
             did
             believe
             ,
             you
             blame
             and
             reprehend
             them
             .
             But
             unlesse
             he
             had
             turned
             water
             into
             wine
             ,
             to
             omit
             his
             
             other
             miracles
             ,
             could
             men
             have
             been
             brought
             to
             follow
             him
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             done
             no
             such
             things●
             but
             onely
             taught
             and
             instructed
             them
             ?
             Or
             is
             that
             word
             of
             his
             not
             to
             be
             regarded
             :
             1
             
               Joh.
            
             14.
             1.
             
             Believe
             God
             and
             believe
             me
             :
             Or
             is
             he
             to
             be
             blamed
             for
             rashnesse
             in
             belief
             ,
             who
             would
             not
             have
             Christ
             come
             into
             his
             house
             ,
             because
             he
             b●lieved
             that
             by
             h●s
             command
             onely
             his
             sick
             sonne
             could
             be
             cu●ed
             ?
             
               Mat.
            
             8.
             8.
             
             
               He
               therefore
               bringing
               a
               medicine
               which
               was
               to
               cu●●●he
               most
               corrupt
               manners
               ,
               did
               by
               m●racles
               w●nne
               authority●
               by
               author●●y
               deserved
               belief
               ,
               by
               belief
               dr●w
               ●●ge●her
               a
               mult●●ud●
               by
               a
               mult●●ude
               ob●ained
               an●●qu●ty
               b●
               antiquity
               st●●ngthened
               and
               confirmed
               Relig●on
               :
               which
               no●
               onely
               ●h●
               most
               foolish
               novelty
               of
               h●re●icks
               endeavouring
               by
               dec●●s
               but
               ne●●her
               the
               antient
               errour
               of
               the
               Gentlies
               being
               vio●●ntly
               ben●
               against
               it
               could
               in
               any
               part
               abolish
               or
               destroy
               .
            
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             XV
             .
          
           
             Of
             the
             most
             cemmodious
             way
             to
             Religion
             .
          
           
             VVHerefore
             albeit
             I
             am
             ●ot
             able
             to
             teach
             thee
             ,
             yet
             do
             I
             not
             cease
             to
             warn
             and
             admonish
             thee
             ,
             that
             (
             because
             many
             men
             will
             seem
             to
             be
             wi●e
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             not
             easie
             to
             discern
             whither
             they
             be
             fools
             or
             no
             )
             thou
             beseechest
             the
             divine
             Majesty
             with
             very
             much
             earnestnesse
             and
             fervent
             desires
             with
             sighs
             and
             sobs
             ,
             or
             al●o
             (
             if
             it
             be
             possible
             )
             with
             weeping
             and
             tears●
             to
             free
             and
             deliver
             thee
             from
             the
             evil
             of
             errour
             ,
             if
             thou
             desirest
             to
             lead
             a
             blessed
             and
             an
             happy
             life
             .
             Which
             may
             more
             easily
             be
             brought
             to
             passe
             ,
             if
             thou
             wilt
             willingly
             obey
             his
             commands
             which
             he
             hath
             been
             pleased
             to
             have
             confirmed
             and
             strengthened
             by
             so
             great
             an
             authority
             of
             the
             Catholick
             
             Church
             .
             For
             seeing
             that
             a
             wise
             man
             is
             by
             his
             mind
             so
             united
             unto
             God
             that
             nothing
             is
             interposed
             and
             set
             between
             them
             ,
             which
             may
             divide
             and
             separate
             them
             ,
             (
             for
             God
             is
             truth
             ,
             and
             no
             man
             is
             to
             be
             accounted
             a
             wise
             man
             that
             doth
             not
             attain
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             truth
             )
             we
             cannot
             deny
             but
             that
             the
             wisdome
             of
             man
             is
             interposed
             as
             a
             certain
             medium
             between
             his
             folly
             and
             the
             most
             sincere
             truth
             of
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             .
             For
             a
             wi●e
             man
             according
             to
             the
             ability
             which
             he
             hath
             received
             ,
             doth
             imitate
             God
             :
             and
             a
             fool
             hath
             nothing
             nearer
             unto
             him
             which
             he
             may
             profitably
             imitate
             and
             follow●
             then
             a
             wise
             man
             :
             when
             because
             (
             as
             I
             said
             )
             it
             is
             not
             easie
             to
             understand
             by
             reason
             ,
             it
             was
             necessary
             that
             certain
             miracles
             should
             be
             proposed
             and
             set
             before
             mens
             eyes
             (
             which
             fools
             do
             use
             much
             more
             commodiously
             then
             their
             unde●standings
             )
             to
             the
             end
             that
             
             the
             life
             and
             manners
             of
             men
             moved
             with
             authority
             ,
             m●g●t
             first
             be
             purged
             and
             made
             clean●
             and
             so
             they
             m●ght
             be
             enabled
             to
             understand
             reason
             .
             And
             therefore
             when
             as
             man
             was
             to
             be
             imitated
             ,
             and
             yet
             no
             confidence
             to
             be
             placed
             in
             him
             :
             how
             could
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             shew
             greater
             signs
             of
             his
             favour
             and
             liberality
             th●n
             that
             the
             sincere
             eternall
             ,
             and
             uncha●ge●ble
             wisdome
             of
             God
             ,
             unto
             whom
             it
             behoves
             us
             to
             cleave
             and
             adhere
             should
             vouchsafe
             to
             take
             hum●ne
             nature
             upon
             him
             ?
             who
             did
             no●
             onely
             do
             those
             things
             ,
             which
             m●ght
             serve
             to
             invite
             us
             to
             follow
             G●d
             :
             but
             did
             al●o
             endure
             and
             suffer
             those
             things
             ,
             whereby
             we
             were
             discourag●d
             from
             following
             of
             him
             .
             For
             whereas
             no
             man
             can
             ob●ain
             the
             most
             ce●tain
             and
             chiefest
             good
             ,
             unlesse
             he
             doth
             fully
             and
             pe●fectly
             love
             it
             ,
             (
             which
             by
             no
             means
             will
             be
             brought
             to
             passe
             so
             long
             as
             men
             fear
             
             the
             miseries
             of
             the
             body
             ,
             and
             the
             things
             that
             ●re
             subject
             to
             fortune
             and
             chance
             )
             he
             by
             his
             wonderfull
             birth
             and
             admirable
             wo●ks
             hath
             purchased
             for
             us
             love
             and
             charity
             :
             and
             hath
             excluded
             terrour
             and
             fear
             by
             his
             death
             and
             resurrection
             .
             And
             finally
             he
             hath
             shewed
             himself
             to
             be
             such
             an
             one
             in
             all
             other
             things
             (
             too
             long
             to
             be
             here
             expressed
             and
             set
             down
             )
             that
             we
             may
             know
             and
             perceive
             hereby
             how
             farre
             the
             divine
             clemency
             can
             reach
             and
             be
             extended●
             and
             how
             farre
             mans
             infirmity
             can
             be
             elevated
             and
             extolled
             .
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVI
             .
          
           
             That
             M●racles
             do
             procure
             Belief
             .
          
           
             THis
             ,
             believe
             it
             ,
             is
             a
             most
             wholesome
             authority
             :
             this
             at
             the
             first
             is
             a
             withdrawing
             of
             our
             minds
             from
             an
             earthly
             habitation
             :
             this
             is
             a
             conversion
             from
             the
             love
             of
             this
             world
             
             to
             the
             true
             God
             .
             It
             is
             onely
             authority
             which
             moveth
             fools
             to
             make
             haste
             unto
             wisdome
             .
             So
             long
             as
             we
             cannot
             understand
             sincere
             things
             ,
             it
             is
             indeed
             a
             miserable
             thing
             to
             be
             deceived
             by
             authority
             :
             but
             truly
             it
             is
             more
             miserable
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             moved
             thereby
             .
             For
             if
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             doth
             not
             rule
             and
             govern
             humane
             affairs
             ,
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             busie
             and
             trouble
             our selves
             about
             Religion
             :
             but
             if
             even
             the
             frame
             and
             species
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             which
             we
             must
             believe
             proceeds
             and
             flows
             from
             some
             fountain
             of
             the
             truest
             beauty
             ,
             doth
             as
             it
             were
             publickly
             and
             privately
             exhort
             all
             the
             more
             noble
             and
             braver
             spirits
             both
             to
             seek
             God
             ,
             in
             I
             know
             not
             what
             inward
             conscience
             and
             to
             serve
             him
             :
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             despair●
             but
             that
             the
             same
             God
             hath
             constituted
             and
             ordained
             some
             authority●
             upon
             which
             if
             we
             lean
             and
             rely
             as
             upon
             a
             sure
             step
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             
             elevated
             and
             lifted
             up
             unto
             him
             .
             This
             authority
             ,
             (
             reason
             being
             set
             aside
             ,
             which
             to
             understand
             to
             be
             true
             and
             sincere
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             very
             hard
             matter
             for
             fools
             to
             do
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             often
             said
             )
             doth
             move
             and
             excite
             us
             two
             manner
             of
             wayes
             :
             partly
             by
             miracles
             ,
             and
             partly
             by
             the
             great
             number
             and
             multitude
             of
             followers
             .
             It
             is
             certain
             that
             a
             wise
             man
             needs
             none
             of
             these
             things
             ,
             but
             now
             we
             are
             discoursing
             how
             we
             may
             become
             wise
             men
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             how
             we
             may
             cleave
             and
             adhere
             unto
             the
             truth
             :
             which
             is
             a
             thing
             that
             doubtlesse
             cannot
             be
             done
             with
             a
             foul
             and
             impure
             mind
             :
             the
             uncleannesse
             whereof
             ,
             is
             (
             to
             expound
             it
             briefly
             )
             the
             love
             of
             all
             things
             whatsoever
             besides
             it self
             and
             God
             :
             from
             which
             fi●th
             by
             how
             much
             any
             one
             is
             more
             purged
             and
             cleansed
             ,
             by
             so
             much
             the
             more
             easily
             doth
             he
             behold
             the
             truth
             .
             And
             therefore
             to
             desire
             to
             see
             the
             truth
             that
             thou
             mayst
             
             cleanse
             the
             mind
             ,
             when
             therefore
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             cleansed
             ,
             that
             thou
             mayest
             see
             the
             truth
             ,
             is
             certainly
             a
             perverse
             and
             a
             preposterous
             thing
             .
             Wherefore
             to
             a
             man
             that
             is
             not
             able
             to
             behold
             the
             truth
             that
             he
             may
             be
             made
             fit
             to
             see
             it
             ,
             and
             may
             suffer
             himself
             to
             be
             purged
             and
             cleansed
             ,
             authority
             is
             at
             hand
             ,
             which
             without
             doubt
             receives
             her
             str●ngth
             and
             vigour
             partly
             by
             miracles
             ,
             and
             partly
             by
             the
             number
             and
             multitude
             of
             followers
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             a
             little
             before
             .
             A
             miracle
             I
             call
             any
             hard
             or
             unwonted
             thing
             whatsoever
             ,
             which
             appears
             above
             the
             expectation
             and
             power
             of
             the
             wonderer
             .
             In
             which
             kind
             nothing
             is
             more
             fit
             for
             the
             common
             people
             ,
             and
             for
             men
             that
             are
             absolutely
             ●ottish
             and
             foolish
             ,
             then
             that
             which
             is
             applyed
             and
             proposed
             to
             the
             senses
             .
             But
             these
             again
             are
             divided
             into
             two
             sorts
             :
             for
             some
             there
             be
             that
             onely
             move
             men
             to
             wonder
             
             and
             admiration
             :
             and
             others
             which
             besides
             do
             winne
             and
             purchase
             great
             favour
             and
             good
             will
             .
             For
             if
             any
             one
             should
             see
             a
             man
             fly
             ,
             he
             would
             onely
             wonder
             at
             it
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             a
             thing
             which
             besides
             the
             beholding
             of
             it
             ,
             yields
             to
             the
             spectatour
             no
             commodity
             nor
             profit
             .
             But
             if
             any
             one
             being
             afflicted
             with
             a
             grievous
             and
             desperate
             sicknesse
             ,
             shall
             so
             soon
             as
             the
             disease
             is
             commanded
             to
             depart
             ,
             recover
             his
             health
             ,
             he
             shall
             overcome
             the
             wonder
             of
             the
             cure
             by
             the
             charity
             of
             the
             curer
             .
             Such
             things
             were
             done
             as
             many
             as
             were
             sufficient
             ,
             when
             God
             appeared
             to
             men
             in
             the
             shape
             of
             a
             true
             man
             :
             The
             sick
             were
             cured
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             9.
             6
             ,
             13
             ,
             15
             ,
             16.
             
             
               Mat.
            
             9.
             7
             ,
             22.
             
             
               Mar.
            
             3.
             5
             ,
             10.
             
             
               Joh.
            
             4.
             53.
             the
             leaprous
             were
             cleansed
             ;
             
               Mat.
            
             8.
             3.
             
               Mar.
            
             4
             ,
             2.
             
             
               Luke
            
             5.
             3.
             
             &
             7.
             22.
             going
             was
             restored
             to
             the
             lame
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             11.
             5.
             sight
             to
             the
             blind
             ,
             and
             hearing
             to
             the
             deaf
             ,
             
               Luke
            
             18.
             42.
             
             
               Joh
               ,
            
             9.
             7●
             
             The
             men
             of
             that
             time
             saw
             water
             turned
             into
             wine
             ,
             
               Joh.
            
             2.
             9.
             five
             thousand
             people
             filled
             with
             five
             loaves
             of
             bread
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             14.
             20
             ,
             21.
             men
             walking
             upon
             the
             sea●Mat
             
               .
            
             14.
             25.
             
             
               Joh.
            
             6.
             19.
             
             &
             21.
             7.
             and
             the
             dead
             rising
             from
             death
             to
             life
             ,
             
               Luke
            
             7.
             15.
             
             &
             8.
             55.
             
             So
             some
             miracles
             were
             done
             for
             the
             cure
             of
             the
             body
             by
             a
             more
             manifest
             benefit
             ,
             and
             some
             for
             the
             cure
             of
             the
             soul
             by
             a
             more
             hidden
             sign
             ,
             but
             they
             were
             all
             for
             the
             help
             of
             mankind
             by
             the
             testimony
             of
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             :
             thus
             did
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             then
             draw
             unto
             it
             the
             straying
             souls
             of
             mortall
             men
             .
             Why
             (
             sayst
             thou
             )
             are
             not
             these
             things
             done
             now
             ?
             Because
             they
             would
             not
             move
             unlesse
             they
             were
             wonderfull
             ,
             and
             if
             they
             were
             common
             and
             usuall
             they
             were
             no●
             wonderfull
             .
             For
             bring
             unto
             me
             a
             man
             when
             he
             first
             sees
             the
             courses
             of
             day
             and
             night
             ,
             and
             the
             m●st
             constant
             order
             of
             celestiall
             
             things
             ,
             the
             4.
             cha●ges
             of
             the
             yeare
             ,
             the
             falling
             and
             returning
             of
             the
             leeves
             unto
             the
             trees
             ,
             the
             infinite
             vertue
             of
             seeds
             ,
             the
             beauty
             of
             light
             ,
             the
             varieties
             of
             colours
             ,
             sounds
             ,
             smels
             and
             tasts
             ,
             and
             if
             wee
             can
             but
             speak
             with
             him
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             him
             wholly
             astonished
             ,
             and
             quite
             overcome
             with
             the
             sight
             of
             these
             miracles
             :
             and
             yet
             we
             despise
             and
             we
             make
             and
             account
             of
             al
             these
             things
             ,
             not
             because
             they
             are
             easily
             known
             (
             for
             what
             is
             more
             obscure
             then
             the
             causes
             of
             them
             ?
             )
             but
             for
             that
             we
             are
             accustomed
             frequently
             to
             see
             them●
             those
             things
             are
             therefore
             most
             fitly
             done
             ,
             that
             a
             multitude
             of
             beleevers
             being
             gathered
             together
             and
             propagated
             by
             them●
             profitable
             authority
             might
             be
             co●verted
             into
             customes
             themselves
             .
          
           
             
               An
               observation
               .
            
             
               S.
               Augustine
               in
               his
               first
               book
               of
               his
               Retractations
               and
               14.
               
               Chapter
               
               alledgeth
               these
               words
               :
               (
               why
               sayst
               thou
               )
               are
               not
               these
               things
               done
               now
               ?
               because
               they
               would
               not
               move
               ,
               unlesse
               they
               were
               wonderfull
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               were
               common
               and
               usuall
               ,
               they
               were
               not
               wonderfull
               )
               and
               expounds
               them
               thus
               :
               This
               I
               said
               because
               not
               so
               great
               nor
               all
               miracles
               are
               done
               now
               ,
               but
               not
               that
               none
               are
               also
               now
               done
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVII
             .
          
           
             The
             Co●sent
             of
             Nations
             beleeving
             in
             Christ
             .
          
           
             ALl
             customes
             have
             such
             vertue
             power
             to
             winn
             the
             love
             and
             affection
             of
             men
             ,
             that
             we
             sooner
             can
             condemne
             and
             detest
             even
             the
             things
             that
             are
             naught
             and
             wicked
             in
             them
             then
             forsake
             or
             change
             them
             :
             and
             this
             for
             the
             most
             part
             comes
             to
             passe
             ,
             when
             as
             our
             unlawfull
             appetites
             and
             deseres
             have
             gotten
             a
             dominion
             and
             
             predominancy
             over
             us
             :
             doest
             not
             thou
             think
             that
             great
             care
             hath
             been
             taken
             about
             the
             affaires
             of
             mankinde
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             are
             put
             into
             a
             good
             state
             and
             condition
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             divins
             most
             learned
             men
             doe
             argue
             and
             contend
             ,
             that
             nothing
             that
             is
             earthly
             ,
             nothing
             that
             is
             fierie
             finally
             ,
             nothing
             that
             is
             perceptible
             by
             the
             corporall
             senses
             ought
             to
             be
             worshipped
             ●nd
             adored
             for
             God
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             is
             to
             be
             prayed
             unto
             ,
             entreated
             and
             supplicated
             only
             by
             the
             understanding
             or
             intellectuall
             power
             :
             but
             also
             that
             the
             unskilfull
             multitude
             of
             both
             sexes
             doth
             in
             so
             many
             and
             so
             divers
             nations
             both
             beleeve
             it
             and
             publish
             it
             ?
             
               that
               there
               is
               continency
               and
               forbearance
               of
               meates
               ,
               even
               to
               the
               most
               slender
               diet
               of
               bread
               and
               water
               ,
               and
               fastings
               ,
               not
               for
               one
               day
               only
               ,
               but
               also
               continued
               for
               divers
               dayes
               together●
               that
               there
               is
               chastity
               even
               to
               the
               contempt
               of
               marriage
               
               and
               issue
               :
               that
               there
               is
               patience
               even
               to
               the
               contemning
               of
               crosses
               and
               flames
               :
               that
               there
               is
               liberality
               even
               to
               the
               distribution
               of
               patrimonies
               to
               the
               poore
               :
               and
               finally
               ,
               so
               great
               a
               disesteeme
               and
               contempt
               of
               all
               things
               that
               are
               in
               this
               world
               ,
               that
               even
               death
               it self
               is
               wished
               and
               desired
               .
            
             Few
             there
             are
             that
             do
             these
             things
             ,
             fewer
             that
             doe
             them
             well
             and
             prudently
             :
             yet
             the
             people
             doe
             approve
             them
             ,
             hearken
             unto
             them
             ,
             and
             like
             them
             :
             yea
             they
             love
             and
             affect
             them
             ;
             and
             not
             without
             some
             progresse
             of
             their
             mindes
             towards
             God
             ,
             and
             certain
             sparks
             of
             piety
             and
             vertue
             ,
             they
             blame
             and
             reprehend
             their
             owne
             weakenesse
             and
             imbecillity
             that
             they
             cannot
             doe
             these
             things
             .
             This
             the
             divine
             Providence
             hath
             brought
             to
             passe
             by
             the
             predictions
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             by
             the
             humanity
             and
             doctrin
             of
             Christ
             ,
             by
             the
             voyages
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             by
             
             the
             contumelies
             ,
             crosses
             ,
             bloud
             and
             death
             of
             Martyrs
             ,
             by
             the
             laudable
             and
             excellent
             lives
             of
             Saints
             ,
             and
             by
             miracles
             done
             at
             convenient
             times
             in
             all
             these
             things
             worthy
             of
             so
             great
             matters
             and
             vertues
             .
             
               When
               as
               therefore
               we
               see
               so
               great
               help
               and
               affi●tance
               from
               God
               ,
               and
               so
               great
               fruit
               and
               entrease
               thereby
               ,
               shall
               we
               make
               any
               doubt
               or
               question
               at
               all
               of
               retyring
               into
               the
               besome
               of
               that
               Church
               ,
               which
               even
               to
               the
               confession
               and
               acknowledgement
               of
               mankinde
               from
               the
               Sea
               Apostolike
               by
               succession
               of
               Bishops●
               hath
               obtained
               the
               sove●eignty
               and
               principall
               authority
               ,
               heretiks
               in
               vain
               barking
               round
               about
               it
               ,
               and
               being
               condemned
               partly
               by
               the
               judgement
               of
               the
               people
               themselves
               ,
               partly
               by
               the
               gravity
               of
               Councels
               ,
               partly
               also
               by
               the
               majesty
               and
               splendour
               of
               miracles
               ?
            
             Unto
             which
             not
             to
             graunt
             the
             chiefe
             place
             and
             preheminence
             ,
             is
             either
             indeede
             an
             extreme
             impiety
             ,
             
             or
             a
             very
             rash
             and
             a
             dangerous
             arrogancy
             ,
             for
             if
             there
             be
             no
             certain
             way
             for
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             to
             wisdome
             and
             salvation
             ,
             but
             when
             faith
             prepareth
             and
             disposeth
             them
             to
             reason
             ;
             what
             is
             it
             else
             to
             be
             ungraetfull
             unto
             the
             divine
             Majesty
             for
             his
             aide
             and
             assistance
             ,
             but
             to
             have
             a
             will
             to
             resist
             an
             authority
             which
             was
             gained
             and
             purchased
             with
             such
             labour
             and
             paines
             ?
             And
             if
             ●very
             art
             and
             trade
             ,
             though
             but
             base
             and
             easy
             ,
             requires
             a
             teacher
             or
             master
             that
             it
             may
             be
             learned
             and
             understood
             :
             what
             greater
             expression
             can
             there
             be
             of
             rash
             arrogancy
             and
             pride
             ,
             then
             both
             to
             have
             no
             minde
             to
             learne
             the
             books
             of
             the
             divine
             mysteries
             from
             their
             interpreters
             and
             yet
             to
             have
             a
             minde
             to
             condemne
             the
             unknown
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             CHAP.
             XVIII
             .
          
           
             The
             Conclusion
             by
             way
             of
             exhortation
             ,
          
           
             VVHerefore
             if
             either
             reason
             or
             our
             discourse
             hath
             any
             wayes
             moved
             thee
             :
             and
             if
             thou
             hast
             a
             true
             care
             of
             thy self
             (
             as
             I
             beleeve
             thou
             hast
             )
             I
             would
             have
             thee
             to
             hearken
             and
             give
             eare
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             pious
             faith
             ,
             a
             cheerefull
             hope
             ,
             and
             ●incere
             charity
             to
             addresse
             thy self
             to
             good
             Masters
             of
             Catholick
             Christianity
             :
             and
             to
             pray
             unto
             God
             without
             ceasing
             and
             intermission
             :
             by
             whose
             only
             goodnesse
             we
             were
             made
             and
             created
             ,
             by
             whose
             justice
             we
             are
             punished
             and
             chastized
             ,
             and
             by
             whose
             clemency
             we
             are
             freed
             and
             redeemd
             ,
             by
             which
             means
             thou
             shalt
             neither
             want
             the
             instructions
             and
             disputations
             of
             most
             learned
             men
             ,
             and
             those
             that
             are
             truly
             Christian
             ,
             
             nor
             books
             ,
             nor
             cleare
             and
             quiet
             thoughts
             ,
             whereby
             thou
             mayst
             easily
             find
             that
             which
             thou
             seekest
             .
             And
             as
             for
             those
             verball
             and
             wretched
             men
             (
             for
             how
             can
             I
             speak●
             more
             mildly
             of
             them
             )
             forsake
             them
             altogether
             :
             who
             found
             out
             nothing
             but
             mischiefe
             and
             evill
             ,
             whilst
             they
             seek
             to
             much
             for
             the
             ground
             thereof
             .
             In
             which
             question
             they
             stirre
             up
             oftentimes
             their
             hearers
             to
             enquire
             and
             search
             ,
             but
             they
             teach
             them
             those
             things
             when
             they
             are
             stirred
             up
             ,
             that
             it
             were
             better
             for
             them
             alwayes
             to
             sleep
             ,
             then
             to
             watch
             and
             take
             great
             pains
             after
             that
             manner
             ,
             for
             they
             drive
             them
             out
             of
             a
             lethargy
             or
             drowsy
             evill
             and
             make
             them
             frantike
             :
             between
             which
             discases
             ,
             whereas
             both
             are
             most
             commonly
             mortall
             :
             yet
             neverthelesse
             there
             is
             this
             difference
             ,
             that
             those
             that
             are
             sicke
             of
             a
             l●thargy
             doe
             die
             without
             troubling
             or
             molesting
             others
             :
             but
             the
             frautike
             
             man
             is
             dreadfull
             and
             terrible
             unto
             many
             ,
             and
             unto
             those
             especially
             that
             seek
             to
             assist
             him
             .
             For
             neither
             is
             God
             the
             author
             of
             evill
             ,
             nor
             hath
             it
             ever
             repented
             him
             to
             have
             made
             any
             thing
             ,
             nor
             is
             he
             troubled
             with
             a
             storme
             of
             any
             commotion
             or
             stirring
             of
             the
             minde
             ,
             nor
             is
             a
             particle
             or
             piece
             of
             earth
             his
             kingdome
             :
             he
             neither
             approves
             nor
             commands
             any
             heinous
             crimes
             or
             offences
             ,
             he
             never
             lies
             .
             For
             these
             and
             such
             like
             things
             did
             move
             and
             trouble
             us
             ,
             when
             they
             did
             strongly
             oppose
             them
             and
             inveigh
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             fained
             this
             to
             be
             the
             doctrine
             of
             the
             old
             Testament
             which
             is
             a
             most
             absolute
             falshood
             and
             untruth
             .
             Wherefore
             I
             graunt
             that
             they
             doe
             rightly
             blame
             and
             reprehend
             those
             things
             .
             What
             then
             have
             I
             learned
             ?
             what
             thinkest
             thou
             ,
             but
             that
             when
             they
             reprove
             those
             things
             ,
             the
             Catholike
             doctrine
             is
             not
             reprehended
             ?
             so
             that
             the
             truth
             
             which
             I
             learned
             amongst
             them
             ,
             I
             hold
             and
             reteyne
             :
             and
             that
             which
             I
             conceived
             to
             be
             false
             and
             untrue
             ,
             I
             refuse
             and
             reject
             but
             the
             Catholick
             Church
             hath
             also
             taught
             me
             many
             other
             things
             ,
             whereunto
             those
             men
             being
             pale
             and
             without
             bloud
             in
             their
             bodies
             ,
             both
             grosse
             and
             heavy
             in
             their
             understandings
             cannot
             aspire
             ,
             namely
             that
             God
             hath
             no body
             ,
             that
             no
             part
             of
             him
             can
             be
             perceived
             by
             corporall
             eyes
             ,
             that
             nothing
             of
             his
             substance
             and
             his
             nature
             is
             any
             wayes
             violable
             or
             changeable
             ,
             or
             compounded
             or
             framed
             ,
             which
             things
             if
             thou
             grauntest
             me
             to
             be
             true
             (
             as
             w●e
             ought
             not
             to
             frame
             any
             other
             conceit
             of
             the
             divine
             Majesty
             )
             all
             their
             subtle
             devises
             and
             shifts
             are
             subverted
             and
             overthrown
             .
             But
             how
             it
             can
             be
             ,
             that
             God
             hath
             neither
             caused
             nor
             done
             any
             evill
             ,
             and
             that
             ●here
             neither
             is
             ,
             nor
             ever
             hath
             been
             any
             nature
             and
             substance
             ,
             which
             
             he
             hath
             not
             either
             produced
             or
             made
             ,
             and
             yet
             that
             he
             frees
             and
             delivers
             us
             from
             evill
             ,
             is
             a
             thing
             approved
             upon
             so
             necessarie
             reasons
             and
             grounds
             ,
             that
             no
             doubt
             at
             all
             can
             be
             made
             thereof
             :
             especially
             by
             thee
             and
             such
             as
             thou
             art
             ,
             if
             so
             be
             that
             to
             their
             good
             wits
             they
             joyne
             piety
             ,
             and
             a
             certaine
             peace
             and
             tranquillity
             of
             a
             minde
             ,
             without
             which
             nothing
             at
             all
             of
             so
             great
             matters
             can
             be
             conceived
             and
             understood
             ,
             and
             here
             is
             no
             report
             of
             great
             and
             large
             promises
             made
             to
             no
             purpose
             ,
             and
             of
             I
             know
             not
             what
             Persian
             fable
             ,
             a
             tale
             more
             fit
             to
             be
             told
             to
             Children
             then
             to
             ingeni●us
             and
             witty
             men
             ,
             and
             as
             for
             truth
             it
             is
             a
             farre
             other
             thing
             then
             the
             Manichees
             do
             foolishly
             imagine
             and
             conceive
             ,
             but
             because
             I
             have
             made
             a
             farre
             longer
             discourse
             then
             I
             thought
             to
             have
             done
             ,
             let
             me
             here
             end
             this
             booke
             :
             wherein
             I
             would
             have
             thee
             to
             remember
             that
             I
             have
             
             not
             yet
             begun
             to
             refute
             the
             Manichees
             ,
             and
             impugne
             those
             toyes
             :
             nor
             to
             have
             expounded
             any
             great
             matter
             of
             the
             Catholick
             doctrine
             ,
             but
             that
             my
             only
             intent
             was
             to
             have
             rooted
             out
             of
             thee
             if
             
               I
            
             could
             ,
             the
             false
             opinion
             of
             true
             Christians
             which
             hath
             been
             malitiously
             or
             unskilfully
             in●inuated
             unto
             us
             ,
             and
             to
             stirre
             thee
             up
             to
             the
             learning
             of
             certaine
             great
             and
             divine
             things
             .
             Wherefore
             
               I
            
             will
             put
             a
             period
             to
             this
             worke
             :
             and
             if
             it
             makes
             thy
             mind
             more
             quiet
             and
             contented
             I
             shall
             peradventure
             be
             more
             ready
             to
             serve
             thee
             in
             other
             things
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .