Examination of those Plausible Appearances in the Romish Church, Chapter 4
CHAP. IIII. That Passion in the cause of Religion produceth at this day the like effects, and covereth it selfe with the like plausible pretences.
WHo doubteth but that at this day, the same passions cause vsus to conceiue the same prejudices against the same truths? Its a very harsh point to condemne our forefathers for Heretickes, this is to putrifie their memories, it seemeth to be an impious, and vnnaturall act towards them. The Pagans had this consideration, the Iewes had it, and hauehave it at this day. We who are men as they are, subject to the same passions with them, hauehave the very same inclination, willingly to beleeue that the Religion of our Grandfathers, was the only holy, and divine Religion.
It… insupportable to nature (because tempered with little sweetnes) to incur…e disgrace, to procure the displeasure of parents, kindred, neighbours, countrymen, superiours. These respects are able to produce in vsus at least this effect, to make vsus wish that the religion of those to whom nature, and the civill lawes hauehave obliged vsus were the true. This desire afterward can it not stagger the iudgement: and this staggering can it not terminat it selfe in a firme resolution to hold our selues fast vntounto it: and not to examine whether it be as sound as it is favourable? Because that comming to discerne its imperfections, our conscience will not suffer vsus to be any longer at quiet, vntill we change it for a better, even vponupon condition of running into inconveniences so cumbersome, and vnwelcome vntounto the sense of our nature.
So then, when the ambitious spirit of man perceiveth it selfe taken vp already on the one side, by a religion propitious to his ambition, and invited on the other side by such a one as bindeth him to renounce the honour, and embrace the infamy of the world, shall we doubt of his partiality in the choice? Is it not easie to iudge on which side he will turne the ballance? Certainely man cannot strip himselfe out of all affection of religion; in the same proportion he doth that, he vnmanneth himselfe, and is at best, but a monster of nature in humane shape. Perforce then he is to make profession of some kinde of religion, the profession of irreligion being more infamous then that of a brutish, stupid sensuality. But amongst so many religions when he commeth to the choice of the True his affections, his particular interests accompany him to the ballance, and there sway all. The truth how soundly soever propounded, how evidently soever manifested, how powerfully soever vrged is not able to make the counterpoise. For this cause St. Paul recommending the Gospell, and wishing the knowledge of it to King Agrippa, excepted his bonds: as knowing right well, what a stumbling block the bondes, and crosse of the Gospell are to Potentates.
Wee are wont to excuse at least, if not to defend a wicked person if favourable, and beneficiall vntounto vsus, and wee thinke the cariage of a good man to be peeuish, froward, and cruell if hee oppose our ends, & thwart our purposes. Iust so it is with our affection towards religion: if it fauoureth vsus, and apply it selfe to our humours we are curious in inventing trickes to adorne it, and artificiall colours to beautifie it. If we doe already, or are like to make profession of it vponupon good advantagious hire, in this case probabilities are vntounto vsus so many convincing, & irresistible demonstrations: the grosser and more palpable heresies in it are but petty mistakes: the horrible abuses, and enormities are but such slips as should be borne with in the spirit of meeknesse. But towards the religion crosse to his affections, and which is is an enemy to his ambition man behaueth him selfe after another fashion: he stretcheth, and straineth his wits to espie some faults in it▪ in it a small wrinkle, a wart, a superficiall spot seemeth vntounto him an hideous deformity. Oft times he will not or dares not so much as looke vponupon it, for feare of being captiuated by its beauty. He willingly openeth the eare to him who is a deadly enemy of it, to him who slandereth it; he stops it against them who only can represent it to him in its natiue purity, never considering but in hasty, and prefunctory thoughts, the firmenes of its grounds, for feare least a truth so euident, and powerfull should come to master, and tame the rebellion of his vnderstanding.