XI. 3.| THE SECOND BOOK. — 147 
Ld 
For they propound those noble effects, which God hath 
set forth unto man to be bought at the price of labour, to 
be attained by a few easy and slothful observances. De- 
ficiences in these knowledges I will report none, other 
than the general deficience, that it is not known how 
much of them is verity, and how much vanity. _ 
XII. 1. The knowledge which respecteth the faculties 
of the mind of man is of two kinds; the one respecting 
his understanding and reason, and the other his will, 
appetite, and affection; whereof the former produceth 
position or ,decree, the latter action or execution. It is 
true that the imagination is an agent or muncius, in both 
provinces, both the judicial and the ministerial. For 
sense sendeth over to imagination before reason have 
judged: and reason sendeth over to imagination before 
the decree can be acted. For imagination ever precedeth 
voluntary motion. Saving that this Janus of imagination 
hath differing faces: for the face towards reason hath the 
print of truth, but the face towards action hath the print 
of good; which nevertheless are faces, 
Quales decet esse sororum, 
Neither is the imagination simply and only a messenger; 
but is invested with, or at least wise usurpeth no small 
authority in itself, besides the duty of the message. For 
it was well said by Aristotle, That the mind hath over the 
body that commandment, which the lord hath over a bond- 
man ; but that reason hath over the imagination that com- 
mandment which a magistrate hath over a free citizen ; who 
may come also to rule in his turn. For we see that, in 
matters of faith and religion, we raise our imagination 
above our reason; which is the cause why religion sought 
ever access to the mind by similitudes, types, parables, 
visions, dreams. And again, in all persuasions that are 
La 
