Neutrality in Religion, dangerous. [ 871]
THere is mention made of a kind of bastard-Eagle,* 1.1 that hath one leg like the Goofe, close at the foot; the other open, and armed with talents, like that of the ordinary eagle: with the close foot she swimmeth on the water,* 1.2 and dives for fishes there; with the open foot she soareth into the air, and seizeth on her prey there. But so it is, that participating thus of two severall natures, her strength is weakened, and she her self made at last a prey to every ordinary crow. Thus fares it with all Neuters,* 1.3 all Hermophrodites, all Ambo-dexters in Relig••on; such as have one close foot for sea and land, for the world and worldly things; and another open-foot for the aire above, for heaven and heavenly things: so that they may not be seen to float on the sea of this world altogether, they take themselves to their wing, and will seem to be religious, and make some small fluttering up of their hearts towards Heaven, but all in vain; for being divided in their thoughts, the act of their souls being not set upon the onely object, God, and the powers and faculties thereof not contracted to Himward, no marvell, if they wax faint in their duty, and weak in all holy performances; so that the devill, like the ordinary crow, set upon them, conquer them, and lead them captive at his will.