Religio Medici, Hydriotaphia, et al, | Page 6

im-
patient, who would repine at death in the society of all things that suffer
under it. Had not almost every man suffered by the press, or were not
the tyranny thereof become universal, I had not wanted reason for com-

plaint: but in times wherein I have lived to behold the highest
perversion of that excellent invention, the name of his Majesty defamed,
the honour of Parlia- ment depraved, the writings of both depravedly,
antici- patively, counterfeitly, imprinted: complaints may seem
ridiculous in private persons; and men of my condition may be as
incapable of affronts, as hopeless of their reparations. And truly had not
the duty I owe unto the importunity of friends, and the allegiance I
must ever acknowledge unto truth, prevailed with me; the inactivity of
my disposition might have made these sufferings continual, and time,
that brings other things to light, should have satisfied me in the remedy
of its oblivion. But because things evidently false are not only printed,
but many things of truth most falsely set forth; in this latter I could not
but think myself engaged: for, though we have no power to redress the
former, yet in the other reparation being within our- selves, I have at
present represented unto the world a full and intended copy of that
piece, which was most imperfectly and surreptitiously published
before.
This I confess, about seven years past, with some others of affinity
thereto, for my private exercise and satisfaction, I had at leisurable
hours composed; which being communicated unto one, it became
common unto many, and was by transcription successively corrupted,
until it arrived in a most depraved copy at the press. He that shall
peruse that work, and shall take notice of sundry particulars and
personal expressions therein, will easily discern the intention was not
publick: and, being a private exercise directed to myself, what is de-
livered therein was rather a memorial unto me, than an example or rule
unto any other: and therefore, if there be any singularity therein
correspondent unto the pri- vate conceptions of any man, it doth not
advantage them; or if dissentaneous thereunto, it no way over- throws
them. It was penned in such a place, and with such disadvantage, that (I
protest), from the first setting of pen unto paper, I had not the
assistance of any good book, whereby to promote my invention, or
relieve my memory; and therefore there might be many real lapses
therein, which others might take notice of, and more that I suspected
myself. It was set down many years past, and was the sense of my
conceptions at that time, not an immutable law unto my advancing
judgment at all times; and therefore there might be many things therein

plausible unto my passed apprehension, which are not agreeable unto
my present self. There are many things delivered rhetorically, many
expressions therein merely tropical, and as they best illustrate my inten-
tion; and therefore also there are many things to be taken in a soft and
flexible sense, and not to be called unto the rigid test of reason. Lastly,
all that is con- tained therein is in submission unto maturer discern-
ments; and, as I have declared, shall no further father them than the best
and learned judgments shall au- thorize them: under favour of which
considerations, I have made its secrecy publick, and committed the
truth thereof to every ingenuous reader.
THOMAS BROWNE.

RELIGIO MEDICI.
SECT. 1.--For my religion, though there be several circumstances that
might persuade the world I have none at all,--as the general scandal of
my profession,<1>--the natural course of my studies,--the in-
differency of my behaviour and discourse in matters of religion (neither
violently defending one, nor with that common ardour and contention
opposing another),-- yet, in despite hereof, I dare without usurpation
assume the honourable style of a Christian. Not that I merely owe this
title to the font, my education, or the clime wherein I was born, as
being bred up either to confirm those principles my parents instilled
into my under- standing, or by a general consent proceed in the religion
of my country; but having, in my riper years and con- firmed judgment,
seen and examined all, I find myself obliged, by the principles of grace,
and the law of mine own reason, to embrace no other name but this.
Neither doth herein my zeal so far make me forget the general charity I
owe unto humanity, as rather to hate than pity Turks, Infidels, and
(what is worse) Jews; rather contenting myself to enjoy that happy style,
than maligning those who refuse so glorious a title.
Sect. 2.--But, because the name of a Christian is be- come too
general to express our faith,--there being a geography of religion as
well