THE FIRST BOOK. 9 



again to religion : for in the entrance of philosophy, when 

 the second causes which are next unto the senses, do offer 

 themselves to the mind of man, if it dwell and stay there 

 it may induce some oblivion of the highest cause ; but when 

 a man passeth on further, and seeth the dependence of 

 causes, and the works of Providence ; then, according to 

 the allegory of the poets, he will easily believe that tjie 

 highest link of nature's chain must needs be tied to the foot 

 of Jupiter's chair. To conclude, therefore, let no man upon 

 a weak conceit of sobriety, or an ill-applied moderation, 10 

 think or maintain, that a man can search too far, or be 

 too well studied in the book of God's word, or in the book of 

 God's works, divinity or philosophy ; but rather let men 

 endeavour an endless progress or proficience in both ; only 

 let men beware that they apply both to charity, and not to 

 swelling ; to use, and not to ostentation ; and again, that 

 they do not unwisely mingle or confound these learnings 

 together. 



And as- for the disgraces which learning receiveth from 

 politicians, they be of this nature ; t,ha Ip^rping dnt.fr 20 

 softenmen's minds, and makes them more unapt for the 

 honour and exercise of arms ; tlmt it doth mar and pervert 

 men's dispositions for matter of government and policy ; 

 in making them too curious and irresolute by variety of 

 .reading ; or too peremptory or positive by strictness of 

 rules and axioms ; or too immoderate and overweening by 

 reason of the greatness of examples^ or too incompatible 

 and differing from the times, by reason of the dissimilitude 

 of examples ; or at least, that it doth divert men's travails 

 from action and business, and bringeth them to a love of 30 

 leisure and privateness ; and that it doth bring into states a 

 relaxation of discipline, whilst every man is more ready 

 to argue, than to obe^_and execute. Out of this conceit, 

 Cato, surnamed the Censor, one of the wisest men indeed 

 that ever lived, when Carneades the philosopher came in 



