uncertainest

Vpon theſe concluſions, Priſceria all abaſhed, ſhaking of the drowſineſſe of her dreaming, made aunſwere to Solduuius in theſe tearmes. / Theſe ſtraunge ſuppoſitions, my good Father, argue the ſlender opinion of your ſelf, who by the vncertaineſt ſigns yᵗ may be, confirme your opinion as you pleaſe.

1584, Thomas Lodge, “The Delectable Historie of Forbonius and Prisceria”, in The Complete Works of Thomas Lodge [1580-1623?] Now First Collected, volume first, [Glasgow]: […] [T]he Hunterian Club, published 1883, folio 27, verso, page 66

[…] there is no creature in the world that is to be handled with more art, then man is: And Father Nazianzen, he cries out, ars artium est, & scientia scientiarum, &c. it is an art of all arts, and a knowledge of all knowledges, to be able to governe a man: he is the most various, and the most uncertainest of all things in the world, and therefore he ought to be much in prayer to God.

1644 September 28, Anthony Burgesse, The Magistrates Commission from Heaven. Declared in a Sermon Preached in Laurence Jury, London, the 28. Day of Sept. 1644. at the Election of the Lord Major., London: […] George Miller for Thomas Underhill […], page 13; republished in Early English Books Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: Text Creation Partnership, p. 2011

Others of the like mould, dividing as it were by contract, and suiting their affections, as the father to the one, the son to the other side, so the one is to be a saver by the bargain, let the victory fall out which way it will: This is the easiest and uncertain∣est way of Policy, if there be any who practice it; […]

1646 July 1, [William Stafford], The Reason of the War, with the Progress and Accidents Thereof. Written by an English Subject. […], London: […] Iohn Field, […], pages 69–70; republished in Early English Books Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: Text Creation Partnership, p. 2011

Who can draw a strait and certain line by a crook∣ed and uncertain rule! / I am unwilling to speak of absolute and unlimited Governours or Governments, nor shall I dispute which is best, fetching arguments from this or that, or the other convenience or inconvenience which perhaps may be, and perhaps may never be, in which there is the greatest and uncertainest of varieties that can be imagined; that is not mans work, but to fear the Lord, and do the thing that is right and just, and that justly and rightly too, as to the way also, for the way and the end must be one, both just, and justly done: this is mans center and resting place, from which he may not move nor be moved lest he die.

1653, Robert Norwood, A Pathway unto England’s Perfect Settlement; and Its Centre and Foundation of Rest and Peace, Discovered by Capt. Robert Norwood. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Moone, […], page 12; republished in Early English Books Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: Text Creation Partnership, p. 2011

But you may take this for a general Rule, That thoſe Trades which ask moſt with an Apprentice, are uncertaineſt of Thriving, and require the greateſt Stocks to ſet up.

1682, “The way to Promotion by Trade”, in The Way to Promotion. Or, The Young Man’s Guide to Preferment; Either by the Ministry, Civil or Common Law, Physick, Court, Trade, Navigation, Husbandry, Soldiery. […], London: […] Francis Haley, […], →OCLC, page 81