140 BACON'S ESSAYS 



I do not find that those zeals do any great effects, nor last 

 long ; as it appeared in the succession of Sabinian, who did 

 revive the former antiquities. 



The vicissitude or mutations in the Superior Globe are 

 no fit matter for this present argument. It may be, Plato's 

 great year, if the world should last so long, would have 

 some effect ; not in renewing the state of like individuals, 

 (for that is the fume of those that conceive the celestial 

 bodies have more accurate influences upon these things 

 below than indeed they have,) but in gross. Comets, out 

 of question, have likewise power and effect over the gross 

 and mass of things ; but they are rather gazed upon, and 

 waited upon in their journey, than wisely observed in their 

 effects ; specially in their respective effects ; that is, what 

 kind of comet, for magnitude, colour, version of the beams, 

 placing in the region of heaven, or lasting, produceth what 

 kind of effects. 



There is a toy which I have heard, and I would not have 

 it given over, but waited upon a little. They say it is 

 observed in the Low Countries (I know not in what part) 

 that every five and thirty years the same kind and suit of 

 years and weathers comes about again ; as great frosts, 

 great wet, great droughts, warm winters, summers with 

 little heat, and the like ; and they call it the * Prime.' It 

 is a thing I do the rather mention, because, computing 

 backwards, I have found some concurrence. 



But to leave these points of nature, and to come to men. 

 The greatest vicissitude of things amongst men, is the 

 vicissitude of sects and religions. For those orbs rule in 

 men's minds most. The true religion is ' built upon the 

 rock ' ; the rest are tossed upon the waves of time. To 

 speak therefore of the causes of new sects ; and to give 

 some counsel concerning them, as far as the weakness of 

 human judgment can give stay to so great revolutions. 



When the religion formerly received is rent by discords ; 

 and when the holiness of the professors of religion is 

 decayed and full of scandal ; and withal the times be 

 stupid, ignorant, and barbarous ; you may doubt the 

 springing up of a new sect ; if then also there should arise 



