Of Innovations

AS THE births of living creatures, at first are ill-

shapen, so are all innovations, which are the

births of time.  Yet notwithstanding, as those that

first bring honor into their family, are commonly

more worthy than most that succeed, so the first

precedent (if it be good) is seldom attained by

imitation.  For ill, to man's nature, as it stands

perverted, hath a natural motion, strongest in con-

tinuance; but good, as a forced motion, strongest

at first.  Surely every medicine is an innovation;

and he that will not apply new remedies, must

expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator;

and if time of course alter things to the worse, and

wisdom and counsel shall not alter them to the

better, what shall be the end? It is true, that what

is settled by custom, though it be not good, yet at

least it is fit; and those things which have long

gone together, are, as it were, confederate within

themselves; whereas new things piece not so well;

but though they help by their utility, yet they

trouble by their inconformity.  Besides, they are

like strangers; more admired, and less favored.  All

this is true, if time stood still; which contrariwise

moveth so round, that a froward retention of cus-

tom, is as turbulent a thing as an innovation; and

they that reverence too much old times, are but a

scorn to the new.  It were good, therefore, that men

in their innovations would follow the example of

time itself; which indeed innovateth greatly, but

quietly, by degrees scarce to be perceived.  For

otherwise, whatsoever is new is unlooked for; and

ever it mends some, and pairs others; and he that

is holpen, takes it for a fortune, and thanks the

time; and he that is hurt, for a wrong, and imput-

eth it to the author.  It is good also, not to try experi-

ments in states, except the necessity be urgent, or

the utility evident; and well to beware, that it be

the reformation, that draweth on the change, and

not the desire of change, that pretendeth the refor-

mation.  And lastly, that the novelty, though it be

not rejected, yet be held for a suspect; and, as the

Scripture saith, that we make a stand upon the

ancient way, and then look about us, and discover

what is the straight and right way, and so to walk

in it.