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THE SECOND BOOKE 233
diverse things nor comprehended, nor perceived, nor
allowed, if he will live. And if he take shipping, he
follows his purpose, not knowing whether it shall be
profitable or no: and yeeldes to this, that the ship is
good, the pilote is skilfull, and that the season is fit,
circumstances only probable. After which he is bound
to goe and suffer himselfe to be removed by apparances,
alwaies provided they have no expresse contrariety in
them. Hee hath a body, he hath a soule, his senses
urge him forward, his minde moveth him. Although
he finde not this proper and singular marke of judging
in himselfe, and that he perceive he should not engage
his consent, seeing some falsehood may be like unto
this truth : hee ceaseth not to conduct the offices of his
life fully and commodiously. How many arts are there
which professe to consist more in conjecture than in the
science; that distinguish not betweene truth and falsehood,
but only follow seeming? There is both true
and false (say they), and there are meanes in us to
seeke it out, but not to stay it when we touch it. It is
better for us to suffer the order of the world to manage
us without further inquisition. A mind warranted from
prejudice hath a marvellous preferment to tranquillity.
Men that censure and controule their judges doe never
duly submit unto them. How much more docile and
tractable are simple and uncurious mindes found both
towards the lawes of religion and Politike decrees, than
these over-vigilant and nice wits, teachers of divine and
humane causes? There is nothing in mans invention
wherein is so much likelyhood, possibilitie, and profit.
This representeth man bare and naked, acknowledging
his naturall weaknesse, apt to receive from above some
strange power, disfurnished of all humane knowledge,
and so much the more fitte to harbour divine understanding,
disannulling his judgement, that so he may
give more place unto faith. Neither misbeleeving nor
establishing any doctrine or opinion repugnant unto
common lawes and observances, humble, obedient,
disciplinable and studious; a sworne enemy to Heresie,
and by consequence exempting himselfe from all vaine