When she rates things and moues from ground to ground,
The name of Reason she obtaines by this;
But when by Reason she the truth hath found,
And standeth fixt, she VNDERSTANDING is.
OPINION, JUDGEMENT.
When her assent she lightly doth encline
To either part, she is OPINION light:
But when she doth by principles define
A certaine truth, she hath true Judgement's sight.
And as from Senses, Reason's worke doth spring,
So many reasons understanding gaine;
And many understandings, knowledge bring;
And by much knowledge, wisdome we obtaine.
So, many stayres we must ascend vpright
Ere we attaine to Wisdome's high degree;
So doth this Earth eclipse our Reason's light.
Which else (in instants) would like angels see.
Yet hath the Soule a dowrie naturall,
And sparkes of light, some common things to see;
Not being a blancke where nought is writ at all,
But what the writer will, may written be
For Nature in man's heart her lawes doth pen;
Prescribing truth to wit, and good to will;
Which doe accuse, or else excuse all men,
For euery thought or practise, good or ill:
And yet these sparkes grow almost infinite,
Making the World, and all therein their food;
As fire so spreads as no place holdeth it,
Being nourisht still, with new supplies of wood.
And though these sparkes were almost quencht with sin,
Yet they whom that Iust One hath iustifide;
Haue them encreasd with heauenly light within,
And like the widowe's oyle still multiplide.