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 continuance; 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 custom, 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 imputeth it to the author. It is good also, not to try experiments 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 reformation. 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.
Just as living creatures are misshapen at birth, so are all innovations, which are born of time. Yet those who first bring honor to their families are usually worthier than most who follow them. Likewise, the first example, if good, is seldom matched by those who imitate it. In human nature, corrupted as it is, evil moves naturally and grows strongest as it continues. Good, however, moves only through effort and is strongest at the start. Surely every medicine is an innovation. Anyone who refuses new remedies must expect new evils, for time is the greatest innovator. If time in its natural course changes things for the worse, and wisdom and sound judgment do not change them for the better, what will be the outcome? What custom has established may not be good, but at least it fits its surroundings. Things that have long existed together have, in a sense, formed an alliance. New things do not fit together so well. Their usefulness helps, but their failure to fit in causes trouble. Besides, they are like strangers, more admired and less welcomed. All this would be true if time stood still. Instead, time moves so swiftly that stubbornly clinging to custom causes as much disruption as innovation. Those who revere the old days too much merely make themselves objects of ridicule in the new. People introducing changes should therefore follow the example of time itself. Time makes great changes, but quietly, by steps so small they can hardly be noticed. Otherwise, whatever is new comes unexpectedly. It always improves things for some and worsens them for others. Those who benefit consider it good fortune and thank the times. Those who suffer consider it an injustice and blame whoever introduced the change. It is also wise not to experiment in government unless the need is urgent or the benefit clear. Take care that the need for reform drives the change. Do not let a desire for change use reform as its excuse. Finally, even if something new is not rejected, it should still be regarded with suspicion. As Scripture says, we should stand on the old road and then look around us. We should discover which way is straight and right, and then walk in it.