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150 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
Gods, except for his greater good, and for a medicinable
effect, whensoever he falleth into it. They report of
Bion, that being infected with the Atheismes of
Theodorus, he had for a long time made but a mockerie
of religious men ; but when death did once seize upon
him he yeelded unto the extremest superstitions : As if
the Gods would either be removed or come again,
according to Bions businesse. Plato and these examples
conclude that we are brought to beleeve in God either
by reason or by compulsion. Atheisme being a proposition
as unnaturall and monstrous as it is hard and
uneasie to be established in any mans minde, how
insolent and unruly soever he may be: many have
beene seene to have conceived either through vanitie or
fiercenesse, strange and seld-knowne opinions, as if they
would become reformers of the world by affecting a
profession only in countenance: who though they be
sufficiently foolish, yet are they not powerfull enough
to ground or settle" it in their consciences. Yet will
not such leave to lift up their joyned hands to heaven,
give them but a stoccado on their breast: and when
fear shall have supprest, or sicknesse vanquished this
licentious fervour of a wavering minde, then will they
suffer themselves gently to be reclaimed, and discreetly
to be perswaded to give credit unto true beliefe and
publike examples. A decree seriously digested is one
thing, and these shallow and superficial! impressions
another, which bred by the dissolutcnesse of a loose
spirit, doe rashly and uncertaincly float up and downe
the fantasie of a man. Oh men, most brame-sicke and
miserable, that endeavour to be worse than they can !
The errour of Paganisme and the ignorance of our
sacred truth, was the cause of this great soules-fall:
but onely great in worldly greatnes; also in this next
abuse, which is, that children and old men are found
to be more susceptible or capable of religion, as if
it were bred and had her credit from our imbecillitie.
The bond which should binde our judgement, tie our
will, enforce and joyne our soules to our Creator,
should be a bond taking his doubling and forces, not