[ 1365] How it is, that the strength of Imagination per∣swades so much out of the way in mat∣ters of Religion.
IT is observable,* 1.1 that when some Men look up to the Rack or moving clouds, they imagine them to have forms of Men, of Angels, of Armies, of Castles, Forrests, Landskips, Lyons, Bears, &c. where none else can see such things, nor is there any true resemblance of such shapes; And some there are too, 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 Ordinance, or any other measured, intermitted noyse, doth articulately sound and speak the same which is in their thoughts. Thus it is, that a strong Imagina∣tion or Fancy becomes very powerfull, as to perswasion in the matters of God and Religion; Hence is it, that most of those that are unlearned and unstable, wrest the Scripture, thinking they find that in it, which indeed is not there, per∣swading themselves that it representeth to them such and such formed opinions, when questionlesse they do but patch and lay things together without any rea∣son at all; from whence have proceeded the senselesse dotages of Hereticks in el∣der times;* 1.3 and of late in the ridiculous papers of some Dreamers, that have flown about, and bring Scripture with them, but no sense, fancying the holy Word of God to strike, to ring, or chyme to their tunes, to eccho out unto their wild conceits, and joyn with them in their rude indigested notions.