Thomas Browne

The Religion of a Doctor Thomas Browne

The Religion of a Doctor - Religio Medici - Sir Thomas Browne... 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 indifferency 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. CERTAINLY that man were greedy of life, who should desire to live when all the world were at an end; and he must needs be very impatient, 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 complaint: 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 Parliament depraved, the writings of both depravedly, anticipatively, 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.