And  if  anybody  say,  Do  not  try  nor  examine ;  you  are  not
able  to  discern  the  differences  of  things;  believe  as  we  teach,
for  we  cannot  deceive  you :  mark  that  man  or  company  of  men
as  the  greatest  deceivers ;  who  intend  to  impose  something
upon  you  which  will  not  abide  the  test,  and  for  which  they
have  no  good  proof,  if  their  pretences  be  examined. You  may
be  sure,  if  they  were  well  furnished  with  proofs  they  would  not
fear  the  trial,  but  desire  to  have  all  brought  to  the  touchstone,
that  truth  may  be  differenced  from  its  counterfeit. Nobody
refuses  to  be  judged  but  he  that  knows  his  cause  is  naught,

r  [Plat. PhcPd. p. 63  A.]


CHAP. ix. of  thi'u'  testimony. 615

and  fears  he  shall  be  cast. Such  men  had  need  do  all  they
can  to  lurk  in  the  dark,  and  put  off  their  stuff  when  nobody
can  sec  what  it  is:  who  know  it  is  deceitfully  wrought,  and
will  not  abide  the  light. They  do  wisely,  and  as  cunning  mer-
chants, who  make  up  in  words,  and  great  assurances  of  their
honesty,  what  is  wanting  in  the  goodness  of  their  wares. But
why  we  should  have  so  little  wit  as  to  take  their  words,  who
can  tell  ?  We  must  answer  for  this  folly,  no  doubt,  to  Almighty
God ;  who  hath  given  us  more  understanding,  if  we  would  use
it,  and  taught  us  by  himself  to  call  for  good  witnesses  of  that
which  is  offered  to  us  for  a  truth. And  the  more  strictly  we
examine  these  which  St. John  here  alleges,  the  better  we  shall
be  satisfied  that  they  intend  not  to  deceive  us ;  which  is  a  mark
we  should  always  have  much  in  our  eye  when  we  are  inquiring
after  truth. 