How it is that the strength of Imagination prevailes so much in matters of Religion. [ 1192]
IT is observable,* 1.1 that when some Men look up to the rack or moving clouds, they imagine them to have the formes of Men, of Armies, Castles, Forrests, Land∣kips, Lions, Bears, &c. wher as none else can see any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things, nor is there any true resemblance of such things at all; And some again there are, that when they have somewhat roules and tumbles in their thoughts,* 1.2 they think that the ringing of bells, the beating of hammers, the report that is made by great guns, or any other measured, intermitted noyse, doth articulately sound, and speak the same which is in their thoughts: Thus it is that a strong Imagination or fancy, becomes very powerfull as to perswasion in the matters of God and Religion; Hence it is therefore,* 1.3 that most of those that are unlearned and unstable, wrest the Scriptures, thinking they find that in them which indeed is not there to be found, perswading themselves that the Scripture represents to them such formed opinions, such and such grounded tenets, when (without all doubt) they do but patch and lay things together without any reason at all;* 1.4 from whence have proceeded the senselesse dotages of Hereticks, visibly recorded by the Ancients in elder times; and of late the whimsicall conceits of some Dreamers, that have flown about in their most ridiculous papers, wherein they bring Scripture with them, but no sense, fancy∣ing the holy word of God to strike, to ring and chime to their tunes, to eccho out unto their wild conceptions, and answer all their indigested notions.