The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

OF THE PACIFICATION OF THE CHURCH. 421
are upon it, I thought it not impossible, but that doth otherwise determine and order, all actual and
I, as a looker on, might cast mine eyes upon full obedience is to be given to ecclesiastical juris
some things which the actors themselves, espe- diction as it now standeth: and, when your macially some being interested, some led and jesty hath determined and ordered, that every good
addicted, some declared and engaged, did not or subject ought to rest satisfied, and apply his obewNould not see. And that knowing in my con- dience to your majesty's laws, ordinances, and
science, whereto- God beareth witness, that the royal commandments; nor of the dislike I have of
things which I shall speak spring out of no vein all immodest bitterness, peremptory presumption,
of popularity, ostentation, desire of novelty, popular handling, and other courses, tending rapartiality to either side, disposition to intermed- ther to rumour and impression in the vulgar sort
dle, or any the like leaven; I may conceive hope, than to likelihood of effect joined with observathat what I want in depth of judgment may be tion of duty.
countervailed in simplicity and sincerity of But before I enter into the points controverted,
affection. But of all things this did most animate I think good to remove, if it may be, two opime; that I found in these opinions of mine, nions, which directly confront and oppone to rewhich I have long held and embraced, as may formation: the one bringing it to a nullity, and the
appear by that which I have many years since other to an impossibility. The first is, that it is
written of them, according to the proportion, against good policy to innovate any thing in
nevertheless, of my weakness, a consent and church matters; the other, that all reformation
conformity with that which your majesty hath must be after one platform.
published of your own most Christian, most For the first of these, it is excellently said
wise, and moderate sense, in these causes; by the prophet, ", State super vias antiquas, et
wherein you have well expressed to the world, videte, quanam sit via recta et vera, et amthat there is infused in your sacred breast, from bulate in ea." For it is true, that with all wise
God, that high principle and position of govern- and moderate persons, custom and usage obtainment, That you ever hold the whole more dear eth that reverence, as it is sufficient matter to
than any part. move them to make a stand, and to discover, and
For who seeth not that many are affected, and take a view; but it is no warrant to guide and
give opinion in these matters, as if they had not conduct them. A just ground, I say, it is of deso much a desire to purge the evil from the good, liberation, but not of direction. But, on the other
as to countenance and protect the evil by the good. side, who knoweth not, that time is truly conmOthers speak as if their scope were only to set pared to a stream, that carrieth down fresh and
forth what is good, and not to seek what is pos- pure waters into that salt sea of corruption which
sible, which is to wish, and not to propound. environeth all human actions.? and, therefore, if
Others proceed as if they had rather a mind of re- man shall not by his industry, virtue, and policy,
moving, than of reforming. But howsoever either as it were with the oar, row against the stream
side, as men, though excellent men, shall run into and inclination of time, all institutions and ordiextremities; yet your majesty, as a most wise, nances, be they never so pure, will corrupt and
equal, and Christian moderator, is disposed to degenerate. But not to handle this matter comfind out the golden mediocrity in the establish- monplace like, I would only ask, why the civil
ment of that which is sound, and in the repara- state should be purged and restored by good and
tion of that which is corrupt and decayed. To wholesome laws, made every third or fourth year
your princely judgment then I do in all humbleness in parliament assembled: devising remedies as
submit whatsoever I shall propound, offering the fast as time breedeth mischief: and, contrariwise,
same but as a mite into the treasury of your wisdom. the ecclesiastical state should still continue upon
For as the astronomers do well observe, that when the dregs of time, and receive no alteration now
three of the superior lights do meet in conjunc- for these five-and-forty years and more? If any
tion, it bringeth forth some admirable effects: so man shall object, that if the like intermission had
there being joined in your majesty the light of been used in civil causes also, the error had not
nature, the light of learning, and, above all, the been great; surely the wisdom of the kingdom
light of God's Holy Spirit; it cannot be but your hath been otherwise in experience for three hungovernment must be as a happy constellation over dred years' space at the least. But if it be said
the states of your kingdoms. Neither is there to m.e that there is a difference between civil causes
wanting to your majesty that fourth light, which, and ecclesiastical, they may as well tell me that
tholgh it be but a borrowed light, yet is of singu- churches and chapels need no reparations, though
lar efficacy and moment added to the rest, which, castles and houses do; whereas, commonly, to
is the light of a most wise and well compounded speak the truth, dilapidations of the inward and
council; to whose honourable and grave wisdoms spiritual edifications of the church of God are in
I do likewise submit whatsoever I shall speak, all times as great as the outward and material
hoping that I shall not need to make protestation Sure I am that the very word and style of reformof my mind and opinion: That, until your majesty ation used by our Saviour, 6ab initio non fuit
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