difference on the one side, presumption on the other side, and faith in the middest: superstition on the one side, Atheism on the other side, and religion in the midst: ignorance on the one side, curiosity on the other side, and knowledge in the middest. So that there is but one virtue still for two vices, therefore extremities bear rule in this world. Either we cry Hosanna, or else crucifige, either Christ must not wash our feet, or else he must wash our feet & body too,1 either we will have Paul a God, or else we say he is cursed of God, either we say, touch not, taste not, for it is unclean, or else we say, let us ⟨p. 988⟩eat and drink for to morrow we shall die. If we love, we do over-love, if we fear, we do over fear, if we be careful, we are over careful, if we be merry, we are over merry, if we be solemn, we are over solemn, if so we cannot be wise, but we are over wise, so soon as we are thought to know some thing, we would be thought ignorant of nothing. There is a kind of down or curdle upon wisdom, like the train of Gentle women, which is more then needs, which we call the crotchets of the brain which must be weeded out as the tree is lopped when it groweth too thick, or else they will perish the brain, like the skim which seetheth into the broth. The Scripture speaketh of many ancient, and many rich, and many strong, and many mighty, but of one wise man, and yet that wise man too before he died, s•ept beyond sobriety. Therefore even as ye look lest other mens wisdom should deceive you, so look lest your own wisdom deceive your selves: there is a kind of wisdom, which is more contrary to wisdom then ignorance, as good corn and bad corn come both to the market to be sold, and the bad would have as much money as the good: so true wisdom & false wisdom come both, show both, offer both, praise both, & as Jacob took Leah for Rachel: so many take the worse ⟨p. 989⟩for the better.2 Pharaoh said, Come, let us do wisely: when he went about that which destroyed him. The Scribes, and the Pharisees and the Elders, took counsel against Christ, as though they would most wisely prevent their salvation. Judas would betray his master wisely, and therefore he came with a kiss, and said, Hail Master, when he betrayed him.3
difference on the one side, presumption on the other side, and faith in the middest: superstition on the one side, Atheiseme on the other side, and religion in the midst: ignorance on the one side, curiosity on the other side, and knowledge in the middest. So that there is but one vertue still for two vices, therefore extremities beare rule in this world. Either we crie Hosanna, or else crucifige, either Christ must not washe our feete, or else he must wash our feete & body too,1 either we will haue Paul a God, or else we say he is cursed of God, either we say, touch not, tast not, for it is vncleane, or else we say, let vs ⟨p. 988⟩eate and drinke for to morrowe we shall die. If we loue, we do ouer-loue, if we feare, we doe ouer feare, if we bee carefull, wee are ouer carefull, if wee be merrie, we are ouer merie, if we be solemne, we are ouer solemne, if so we cannot be wise, but we are ouer wise, so soone as we are thought to knowe some thing, we would be thought ignorant of nothing. There is a kinde of downe or curdle vpon wisedome, like the traine of Gentle women, which is more then needes, which wee call the crotchets of the braine which must be weeded out as the tree is lopt when it groweth too thicke, or else they will perish the brain, like the skim which seatheth into the broth. The Scripture speaketh of manie ancient, and many rich, and many strong, and many mightie, but of one wise man, and yet that wise man too before hee died, s•ept beyond sobrietie. Therefore euen as yee looke lest other mens wisedome shoulde deceiue you, so looke lest your owne wisedome deceiue your selues: there is a kinde of wisedome, which is more contrarie to wisedome then ignorance, as good corne and bad corn come both to the market to be solde, and the bad would haue as much monie as the good: so true wisdom & false wisdome come both, shew both, offer both, praise both, & as Iacob took Leah for Rachel: so many take the worse ⟨p. 989⟩for the better.2 Pharao saide, Come, let vs doe wiselie: when he went about that which destroied him. The Scribes, and the Pharisies and the Elders, tooke counsel against Christ, as though they woulde most wisely preuent their saluation. Iudas would betray his maister wisely, and therefore hee came with a kisse, and said, Haile Maister, when he betraied him.3
- 1Act. 28. 3.
- 2Exo. 7. 70.
- 3Gen. 4.
