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THE SECOND BOOKE 311
frost, should find the same hardnesse in the wood
or iron he might handle, which another doth. Then
strange subjects yeeld unto our mercy, and lodge with
us according to our pleasure. Now if on our part we
receive any thing without alteration, if mans holdfasts
were capable and sufficiently powerfull by our proper
meanes to seize on truth, those meanes being common
to all; this truth would successively remove it selfe
from one to another. And of so many things as are in
the world, at least one should be found, that by an
universall consent should be beleeved of all. But that
no proposition is seene, which is not controversied and
debated amongst us, or that may not be, declareth
plainly that our judgment doth not absolutely and
clearly seize on that which it seizeth : for my judgment
cannot make my fellowes judgment to receive the same :
which is a signe that I have seized upon it by some
other meane then by a naturall power in me or other
men. Leave we apart this infinite confusion of opinions,
which is seene amongst Philosophers themselves, and
this universal and perpetuall disputation, in and concerning
the knowledge of things.
For it is most truly presupposed that men (I mean
the wisest, the best borne, yea and the most sufficient)
do never agree; no not so much that heaven is over
our heads. For they who doubt of all, doe also doubt
of this: and such as affirme that we cannot conceive
any thing, say we have not conceived whether heaven
be over our heads ; which two opinions are in number
(without any comparison) the most forcible. Besides
this diversity and infinite division, by reason of the
trouble which our owne judgement layeth upon our
selves, and the uncertainty which every man findes in
himselfe, it may manifestly be perceived that this situation
is very uncertaine and unstaid. How diversely
judge we of things? How often change we our
phantasies? What I hold and beleeve this day I
oeleeve and hold with all my beleefo: all my implements,
springs and motions, embrace and claspe this
opinion, and to the utmost of their power warrant the