The philosophers did insolently, to challenge only
to themselves that which the greatest generals and gravest
counsellors never durst. For such had rather do than promise the
best things.
Controvers. scriptores.--More Andabatarum qui clausis oculis
pugnant.--Some controverters in divinity are like swaggerers in a
tavern that catch that which stands next them, the candlestick or
pots; turn everything into a weapon: ofttimes they fight blindfold,
and both beat the air. The one milks a he-goat, the other holds
under a sieve. Their arguments are as fluxive as liquor spilt upon
a table, which with your finger you may drain as you will. Such
controversies or disputations (carried with more labour than profit)
are odious; where most times the truth is lost in the midst or left
untouched. And the fruit of their fight is, that they spit one upon
another, and are both defiled. These fencers in religion I like
not.
Morbi.--The body hath certain diseases that are with less evil
tolerated than removed. As if to cure a leprosy a man should bathe
himself with the warm blood of a murdered child, so in the Church
some errors may be dissimuled with less inconvenience than they can
be discovered.
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