THE EFFECTS OF

CHAP. XX.

The doctor seems the most rational man of theparty; for though at first he also complains, it iswith more moderation, and chiefly on the evilswhich had arisen from differences of religiousopinions, which he contends have been chieflyinflicted on the most honest and conscientiousmembers of his profession.

“ Yee knowe well,” he says, “ though we have“ least cause to complaine, we be not so plenteous“ as we have bene: the first-fruits and tenths are“ deducted of our livings; yet of the rest we might“ live wel ynough, if we might have quietness of“ mind and conscience withall. Marry have you“ not seen how many learned men have bene put“ to trouble of late, within this twenty or thirty“ yeares, and all for declaring their opinions in“ thynges that have rysen in controversy? Have“ you not knowne when one opinion hath bene“ set forth, and who so ever said against that was“put to trouble? And shortly after, when the“ contrary opinion was furthered and set forth,“ were not they that prospered before put to“ trouble for saying their minds against this latter“ opinion ? And so neither of both parties“ escaped, but, eyther first or last, came to be hit,“ of whether side so ever he were, except it were“ some wetherwise fellowes that could chaunge*' their opinions as the more or stronger part did“ chaunge theirs.”

The capper, who seems to have thought butlightly of either religion or learning, frankly tellsthe