IN Scriptures wherein the expression is any thing more difficult, wits are most rank and luxuriant, every one taking a liberty to affix his own sense there, where the true and genuine sense is not so obvious and easily found out: and because two or three false interpretations may be asserted with equal probability, the Scriptures have suffered as an uncertain rule, or nose of Wax, ('tis the blasphemy of the Papists) which is ductile and pliable to every fancy and purpose. The truth, is ⟨p. 2⟩we are more happy in discovering falsehood, then in clearing truth, and those which come after can more easily discern wherein others have halted and are defective, then reach the truth themselves: I have always looked upon that as a grave observation,(a) Facilius est aliorum convellere sententias quam stabilire propriam, Men are always better at confuting then confirming. In which thought I am strengthened by the censure of Hierom on Lactantius, (b)who observed that his arguments were more valid and strong which he brought against false worships then those other by which he confirmed the true; and(c) Tully wished he could as easily find out the true God as disprove the false. Whether it be through that natural desire that is in us, to blemish others, or from the weakness and imperfection of our apprehensions, or from an obstinate prejudice against Divine Truths, or from Gods hiding and reserving many things till the age next their accomplishment, I will not now dispute: I only hint it, to show that therefore it is why men have disputed so unhappily, and with such variety about some difficult places of Scripture, always acquitting themselves with more honour, success, and satisfaction in disproving the opinion of others, then in vindicating and clearing their own.
IN Scriptures wherein the expression is any thing more difficult, wits are most ranke and luxuriant, every one taking a liberty to affixe his owne sense there, where the true and genuine sense is not so obvious and easily found out: and because two or three false interpretations may bee asserted with equall probability, the Scriptures have suffered as an uncertaine rule, or nose of Waxe, ('tis the blasphemy of the Papists) which is ductile and plyable to every fancy and purpose. The truth, is ⟨p. 2⟩wee are more happy in discovering falshood, then in clearing truth, and those which come after can more easily discern wherein others have halted and are defective, then reach the truth themselves: I have alwayes looked upon that as a grave observation,(a) Facilius est aliorum convellere sententias quam stabilire propriam, Men are alwayes better at confuting then confirming. In which thought I am strengthened by the censure of Hierom on Lactantius, (b)who observed that his arguments were more valid and strong which hee brought against false worships then those other by which he confirmed the true; and(c) Tully wished he could as easily find out the true God as disprove the false. Whether it be through that naturall desire that is in us, to blemish others, or from the weaknesse and imperfection of our apprehensions, or from an obstinate prejudice against Divine Truths, or from Gods hiding and reserving many things till the age next their accomplishment, I will not now dispute: I onely hint it, to shew that therefore it is why men have disputed so unhappily, and with such variety about some difficult places of Scripture, alwaies acquitting themselves with more honour, successe, and satisfaction in disproving the opinion of others, then in vindicating and clearing their own.
- (a)Observatum seapius a Wendilino in lib. de caelo.
- (b)Lactantius quasi quidam flunius Tullianae Eloquentiae, utinam tam nostra potuisset confirmare quam facile aliena destruxit.
- (c)Hieron. Tullius lib. de nat. deorum.
