WHo so euer is studious in Holy Write , ought in manner of necessitie to knowe , that in the Firste Age , and before that for Sinne , the general Fludde ouerranne the whole Worlde , Mans life was then longer , then it is nowe presently . For euidente is it , that Adam lyued nine hundred and thirtie yéeres : Sethe , nine hundred and twelue : Caine , nine hundred and tenne . And so afterwardes descending from the one vnto the other , who so lyued leaste , lyued seuen hundred yéeres . And in theise our dayes , fewe reache to eightie , or nintie : which who so at any time passeth , rare is his hap , very strange , and marueilous , in sutche sorte , that wée lyue not the tenthe parte of theire time . The Learned therefore , as well Diuines , as naturall Philosophers , whiche haue hereof carefully discoursed , findinge the same Nature , whiche hathe géeuen vs cause of Béeinge , to be the very same , with that of theise forepassed Ages : and that these our Forefathers here lyued so longe naturally , and not by Myracle : féeling them selues not a litle herewith trobled , beganne curiously herein to searche the causes , or reasons . The whiche thinge , as well vnto M. Varro , as also vnto infinite others , in the woorkes of Nature appeared so difficill , that they supposed the yéeres of the former Ages past , not to haue bene sutch , as are these of our time . Which opinion is open folly , an errour too too great , and altogeather inexcusable , as wée shall make euidente in the Chapter folowing , hauinge here first remembred the aduice of certaine graue , wise , & learned Authours . When therefore I reade the iudgemente of others , and in fine thence descende vnto mine owne opinion , the principal reason , mée thinketh , why we in this time , liue not as longe as did others in the firste , and Olde Age , is , that our Forefathers had not then any the causes , whiche in vs newe ingender diuers maladies , and diseases , whence necessarily ensue Stoopinge Age , & Deathe . Here muste wée also consider , that our firste Parentes , Adam , and Eue were created , and framed by the very hande of God , without any other aide or meane : whence it is to be presumed , that he perfected them with complexion moste excellent , with a true Sympathia , and proportion of humours , the cause of theire continued healthe in these their many yéeres . By meanes wherof , their Children , issuinge of Parentes of suche perfecte constitution , as also theire Ofspringe risinge to them againe , whiche naturally lyued so longe , and many daies , muste resemble theire Elders in like perfection , and constitution of bodye , as men takinge either theire beginninge , or béeinge , of a matter most pure and simple , vntill sutch time as by the chaunge of Ages ( whose propertie is to alter , and to impayre al thinges ) the state of Man beganne to weaken , yéeldinge his daies in number fewer then before . Againe in that Age , one thinge to them was very helpinge , and profitable : the whiche same to vs is very noysome , and contrary : whiche was the greate temperancy vsed in Drinkinge , as well in quantitie , as in qualitie also , with the small chaunge , and varietie of Meates : for neither had they so many sortes , or sundrie dishes , as wée , ne knewe they any , or newe , or dainty inuentions . To eate Fleashe , what it was , before the generall Floudde , was vnto Man altogeather vnknowen . Further , some hold for common , & most assured opinion , that bothe Fruites , and Hearbes without all comparison , were in those daies of farre greater efficacie , and vertue , then any , founde any where in this our latter Age : for that they then sprange out of a new , and fyned soyle , and not of sutche as nowe it is worne , wasted , weryed , and consumed . For the Generall Inundation tooke from it , his woorthe or fatnesse , leauinge it in respecte , infertile and barren , restinge salte and vnsauery , by the rage of the Sea , whiche many wéekes flowed ouer it . These reasons then are good , and eche of them sufficient to conclude , that it neither was so straung , or marueilous , but rather a thinge most agréeant vnto nature , that men then lyued longer , then in these daies presently . Farther it maie be saide , ( that whiche wée for an assured truthe holde ) that Adam well knewe the vertues of all Hearbes , Plantes , and Stoanes , whiche also his Successours , of him in sutche sorte learned , that to the like perfection after them , neuer any attained . This then was graunted them of somme parte for the preseruation of their healthe , for the continuance , and protraction of their daies in this worlde : who to expel the causes of diseases , if any grewe on them , only vsed to minister Simples , abhorring our venemous compoundes of this Age : whiche in place to purge , and purifie mans bodye , weaken , and dispatche for the moste parte the poore patiente . Againe in these aboue remembred firste yéeres , both the life , and healthe of man was propte , and sustained by the course of the Heauens , with the influence of the Starres , and Planettes , then farre more beneficiall , then they presently nowe are : for that then there neither had paste so many Aspectes , Coniunctions , Eclipses , with other infinite Impression Celestiall , whence nowe procéede so many chaunges , variations , & alterations on the Earth , and emonge the Elementes also in those daies principal occasion of healthe , and continuance , contrarye nowe in this our Age of all sickenesse , and deathe . But aboue all that , that wée haue here alleaged , or by reason haue any waye proued , I nowe mainteine the many yéeres of these our Firste Fathers , to haue procéeded of the only , and inspeakeable prouidence of God , whose Maiestye would their continuance shoulde be sutch , and so longe , and that these aboue remembred causes , ayded mutually one the other , to the only intente , that of twoo persons might then increase many , that the Earthe might be inhabited , and mankinde increased . Also farther consideringe , that for as mutche as Man after the fludde , liued not so longe as before : God licensed that they should enter into the Arke , and there saue them selues , more Men and Woomen then him selfe in the beginning , and at the first had Created , to the only ende , that the world might the sooner be inhabited . S. Augustine , of this matter , writinge some thinge , reporteth , that our Forefathers Li. 15. de Ciuitate Dei. hadde not only in health , and many daies , aduantage of vs , but also in huge and greate statures of body , as is euident , remembred by many , their boanes as well found in their Sepulchres , and Graues , as also at times vnder great Mountaines and Hilles : in sutche sorte that some assuredly hold , that thei were the boanes of such as liued before the Inundation . The same S. Augustine affirmeth , that being at Vtica a towne in Aphrike , beholding there the boanes of a dead mans bodie , amonge others , founde there some of his Iawes , so great and weighty , that they well would haue poised an hundred of these in our Age . Notwithstanding though yet our life be short , yet maie wée not for iuste cause any where complaine : for that , if wée abuse it in contempt of the Diuine Maiestie , a rare benefite receiue we that thei to vs be so shortned : for wée will now no longer acknowledge our God : and yet if wée would as becometh vs in all feare to serue him , a time sufficient hath he to that purpose lente vs , for that the bountie of our Sauiour is so great and ready , that he receiueth for Attonement sufficiente , mans bowinge harte and humble spirite .

ONe of the perfectest notes to knowe a Wise man , is , if he well can couer the Secrete committed to him by an other , holdinge euermore his owne affayres cloase and vnknowen . Who so of the time paste will reade the Auncient Histories , shall finde that a number of vertuous enterprises , miste farre , and fowly failed of their desired ende , in time of Peace , as well , as also in that of Warre , by the onely reuealinge of some deuised Secretes , whence infinite mischiefes hastely insued and followed . But amonge sundry examples , one wée finde excellent and surpassinge the reste , as immediatly , or directly , procéedinge from God : who to him selfe so well reserueth his Secretes , that he ne reuealeth to any the things that shall happen , or betide vs tomorrow : as also neither they that liued in the Ages past , could at any time Diuine any thinge , of the thinges this daye present . Whence it is easie for eche man to consider , that vnto God him selfe , to conceale wel a Secrete , is a thing agreant , acceptable , and pleasinge . Who though he haue for mans sake , to him discouered some thinge , yet to let , or preuent , his prouident intention , was neuer to any Creature yet of any parte possible . By meanes whereof the wise , and sage in al Ages , haue loued and learned , to conceale , and couer their Secretes . Wée reade that Cato the Censour confest oftentimes to his Friendes , that he of thrée thinges right often , and greuously repented him : The first , that he to any body had vnfolded his Counsels , or Secretes , but aboue al others especially vnto a Wooman : The seconde , that he had paste some iourneys by Sea , whiche he more safely might haue past with litle payne by the Lande : The third , that he idlely , and without fruite , had spente in his time any one daye . The twoo laste , merite well of all men to be noted , and the firste well aunsweareth to this our present purpose . Alexander on a time , receiuinge from his Mother certaine letters of importance , whiche after he had perused secretely with Ephestion , closde vp his lippes , with his secrete Seale or Signet , geuinge openly thereby to all men to vnderstand , that he to whom a man in his Counsels affieth him , shoulde euermore haue his mouthe well closde , and shutte vp . When the Kinge Lisimachus had offered vnto the Poëte Phillipides , what so should please him to aske or demaunde , he incontinently answeared : the greatest good turne that your grace can do mée , is not to communicate with me any parte of your Counsels . Antonius Sabellicus retcieth to the saide purpose , surely a notable and marueilous example . In the time of Pope Eugenius , saith he , the Senate of Venice had a Capitaine named Cremignoll , by whose Treason , and disloyalty , the Army of the Venitians was to their great harme discomfited . By meanes whereof the Senatours driuen to further consultation , how & in what sorte they should deale with this Capitayne , some beinge of the opinion presently to sende for him , to laye him in hold , and to d●… iustice on him : but others yet then were of opinion contrary . In fine therefore this was their conclusion , that presently , and for that time , they woulde dissemble the matter , as though they nothinge had felte of his barbarous treacherie , attendinge notwithstandinge somme fitter occasion then that , mindinge euermore to execute him , that so iustly had deserued it . This their determination was deferred for the space of eight Moneths , duringe whiche time ( so well could eche man conceale these affaires ) yée though they were in number many , many also moste assured friendes of the saide Cremignoll , some poore , and of meane condition , whiche to haue aduertised him of these newes , mighte haue receiued large & ample rewardes . These thinges not lettinge , their passed determination , was at the ende of these eight Moneths yet then close and Secrete , at whiche time it was decreed that he should come to Venice , where the Senate , with many woordes , & with faire countenances receiued him , whiche notwithstanding , the nexte morninge apprehended him , and did him forth with for his disloyaltie to die . This then might serue for example , vnto al Senatours , Iudges , Counsellers , and others of our time : to the end that they better kéepe and conceale their affayres , then others some that haue reuealed thinges to their greate hurte , shame , and detriment . To the confusion of which , I shall here remember a pleasant discourse , recited by Aulus Gellius , Noctibus Atticis , as also by Macrobius in his Saturnales , & hath this . The Romaine Senatours enteringe into their Senate at Rome , accustomed eche one to bringe with him his Sonne , and that as soone as he was ones able to go , and to the Children of the Nobilitie was graunted this Priuiledge , vntill they were fully seuentene yéeres olde : to the intente , that beholdyng the reuerent order of their Parentes , they in time to come afterwarde , aduaunsed to ripe Age , and fitte for Gouernment , might the better be instructed in common and Publike affayres ? So carefully besides were these Infantes instructed , that out of the Senate they neuer discouered , or disclosed any thinge . It happened on a daie , the Senate then sittinge on greate , and weighty matters , and besides their accustomed howre of departure , longer continuynge that their assemble , the determination notwithstanding reserued vntill the morrow , with straght inhibition , that in the meane time no worde were thereof in any respect spoken . But amonge other children then that day there present , there was one yong boye , the Sonne of Papyrius , of one of the most Honorablest families in Rome . This Childe at night beinge returned home , his Mother first by intreatie , in flatteryng sorte desired him , to learne her , what matters were debated that daie in the Senate , consideringe their longe abode , besides the woonted manner . To whom the boye answeared that he might not well disclose it , consideringe it was prohibited , thereof to speake any thinge . Shée this mutche vnderstandinge ( as is the common woonte , and vsage of Woomen ) waxte then mutche more earnest thereof to féele some thinge , in sutche sorte , that neither , by faire woordes , nor flattery able to gette any thinge , woulde with threates , and roddes finally force him , to answeare her lesse honest , & hasty importunitie . Whose malice to auoide , this wise , and wilye Boye , aduising him wel of this pretie guile , saide : that this deferrent was amongest them that daie carefully handled , whither as well for the state Publike , as also for the augmentation , and more spéedy increase of Mankinde , it mighte be more conducible to the whole Empire of Rome , that one Man shoulde haue twoo Wiues , or contrary that one Wooman , should be geuen to twoo Husbandes , which bothe partes failed not , of most earnest , & assured Factours : who the nerte day ( saithe he ) will conclude on some final & resolute determination . The which thinge , thus ones vnderstoode by the Moother , to whiche shée lightly added , bothe faithe and credite : moued therewith , & something perplexed , aduertiseth other Ladies , & Dames of these newes : to the ende they might lette , and distourne that deuise , of geuing twoo woomen , as wiues to one man , furtheringe the other parte to the vttermost of their mighte , to enritche eche Dame with twoo Husbandes at the least . On the morninge folowing a great number of the Romaine Matrones , were in flockes assembled at the Gates of the Senate , effectuously , and in many woordes requitinge theire Lordes not to passe on any so vniuste a Decrée , as to geue to one man in Marriage twoo wiues , but rather to goe forewarde without staye to the contrary . The Senatours lesse wetinge to what pourpose this tended , amazed , in entrance , one after the other into the Senate , demaunded eche of other , whence mighte procéede this so rare , and shamelesse inciuilitie , altogeather vnable , thereof to yéelde any cause , or reason . But in the ende , the yonge boye , the little Papyrius , did them out of payne , layinge before them , what had chaunced him the night passed with his Moother , and howe that for feare of her thunderinge threates , and greate woordes , was forced for his discharge , in this pretie sorte to deceiue , and beguile her . The matter thus then vnderstoode by the whole House , they highly commended the secrete constancie in the childe . Concluding notwithstandinge , that thencefoorthe no Father shoulde bringe with him his childe into that place , besides the younge Papyrius , whiche onely after entered , to the intente Papyrius . that by these meanes , no secretes shoulde out of that House , or Place be reuealed . By the practise of this childe againe , maie the Elders of our Age , what to doo in their affayres , be very well aduertised : consideringe that if a Priuate Secrete be not to be disclosed , mutche lesse then a Common , and Publique Secrete , principally emonge the Aged , and men of assured Iudgemente . M. Brutus , and Cassius , with the others all , their accomplices , whiche had conspired the deathe of Iulius Caesar , supposinge it for the state Publique , no lesse expediente , then it also was necessary , for the maintenaunce of their Libertie , hauing laide their plotte , and deuised the manner howe to putte these thinges in perfecte execution , would notwithstandinge thereof imparte nothing with Cicero , one of their especial , and moste assured friendes , who also aboue others moste effectually desired the abolition of that tyrannie , not for any diffidence , or mistrust they had in him , but for that he onely was reputed a simple , and badde Secretorie . A thinge assuredly woorthy of admyration , consideringe howe many they were , that conspired his Ruine , in howe priuie manner , and howe longe they concealed it , and that from theire approued , and beste beloued friende . Fuluius sommetime reuealed a greate Secrete to his wife , whiche , not longe before he had receiued of the Emperour Octauian : which after discouered by his saide wife , notis therof came immediatly to the Prince , who , for his ouer mutch lightnesse , in maner most sharpe , rebuked him tauntingely . By meanes whereof , he entred into desperation , determining to doo presente force on him selfe : but firste charginge his wife with the greate wronge that shée hadde donne him : who saide , that he no reason , nor iuste cause had at all to grieue with her , consideringe the many dayes that they had lyued togeather : he yet had not felte her fickle complexion , or otherwise knowing it , that so londely would abuse his owne knowledge therein , reposinge his trust , and affiance in her . Wherefore thoughe her Husbande were the cause of this errour , yet determined shée to suffer the firste paine due therefore , and with the same laid violente handes on her selfe , after whose deathe , poore Fuluius did the same . It is readde in the Life of the Emperour Nero , that his deathe beinge conspired on a time Nero. in Rome ( a thinge moste expediente , as well for the Romaines , as also for all others his rare cruelties considered ) hée , to whom it belonged by couenaunte , to doo the déede , mette by happe a certaine Prisoner , whiche by ordinaunce of the tyrannie , was then on passage , to place of Execution , and consideringe with him selfe , that the wicked , & peruerse nature of the Emperour was suche , that none , whome he apprehended at any time , escaped deathe , and therefore the Prisoner , whiche sorrowfully lamented , mighte no waye escape his bloudy , and mercilesse hande , drewe somethinge nighe him ( not remembringe that his affayres demaunded secrete dealinge ) Praye to God ( saithe he ) that it maie please him to preserue thée vntil to morrowe , for if thou doo passe this day vnto an ende , I will assure thée , that Nero shall not doo thée to die . Whiche thinge vnderstoode by that miserable Prisoner , who incontinently suspected that whiche in déede was , séeking the only meanes to saue his owne life , declared the matter foorthewith to the Emperoure , aduisinge him to take good héede to him selfe . By occasion whereof , Nero immediately apprehended him , that had comforted him in sutche sorte , the aboue remembred Prisoner , and by chaunge of tormentes , forced him to confesse the Coniuration . By reason whereof , him selfe was cruelly executed , theire Determination made frustrate , and voide . Pline recoumpteth the plaine contrarye of Anaxarchus , who beinge apprehended for the Lib. 7. Cap. 23. semblable matter , curragiously bitte of his tongue , with countenaunce vnappalled , to the intente that he neuer would disclose therewith any Secrete , spittinge it manfully into the face of the Tyrante . The Athenians curiously framed a certaine Image of Iette , in the honour of a common wooman , who hight Lyonna , in memory of her excellente constancie , for that shée so wel , and so secretly Lyonna . had kepte , bothe silence , and consell in a certaine conspiracie : whiche Image was framed without any tongue , the better to geue foorthe the force of a Secrete . In like manner the Vassaules , or Seruauntes of Plancus , are in Plancus Val. li. 6. Cap. 8. this place for iuste cause to be remembred , for that no tormentes sufficed to make them confesse any thinge of theire Maister to the enimies , whiche soughte him , and woulde haue slayne him , where so euer they mighte haue founde him . The Page of Cato , that famous Oratoure , Cato . priuie of a faulte committed by his Maister , was tormented in Racke , to confesse thereof sommethinge , and yet for what so euer might be done to him in the world , neuer woulde he be broughte to witnesse againste him any thinge . Q. Curtius remembreth , that the Persians Q. Curtius . had a Lawe , more straightly to pounishe , then for any other faulte , these that vnaduisedly reuealed any Secret. For confirmation whereof , he saithe , that the Kinge Darius , vanquished by Alexander , not knowinge howe to escape , hidde him selfe : but no paine , or pounishment on the one side , or hope of rewarde on the other , might moue them , that knewe where he was , any thinge to speake of him . And againe he remembreth , that the Persians maintaine for an opinion , that no man should , in the man lesse close and secrete , affye him selfe , in cases of charge , and importance . To be a good Secretorie then , is in all thinges necessarye , especially in Warre , that whiche all aunciente Captaines in the Age paste , well obserued . Philippe the sonne of Antigonus , Successour to Alexander , demaunded of his Father in presence of certaine others , when , & at what houre the Campe should marche . To whom the Kinge in highe disdeigne answeared : Arte thou so deafe , that thou fearest , thou shalte not heare the Trumpet , as wel as others . Letting him thence plainly to vnderstande , that by that his Demaunde , he had committed an erroure , whiche merited no answeare in the presence of others . There was a Tribune in the Hoast of Cecilius Metellus , a Captaine Romaine , which asked his C. Metellus , Determination , vpon certaine pointes in their warres . To whome he answeared : If I wiste that my Shurte knewe , whereon I haue resolued , I woulde foorthwith and out of hande burne it . Horace , in his Lawes of Feastinge , commaundeth that eche man kéepe well to him selfe , what so euer shall there be saide , or spoken . By meanes whereof , the Athenians had emonge them sutche an vsage , that when so euer they mette togeather at any Feaste , the moste aunciente , should shewe to the others , the Gate , whereat they entered , sayinge : aduise yée well , that no one woorde hence passe , that at this presente shall emonge vs be spoken . The firste thinge that Pythagoras learned his Schollers , was to holde theire peace , and carefully to kéepe silence , so that he euer kept them a certaine time without speakinge , to the intents they mighte be learned well to kéepe a Secrete , and neuer to speake , but when time requires . Which sufficeth to learne vs , that to conceale a Secrete , is of all others a moste principall , and rare Vertue . For proufe hereof , when Aristotle was sommetimes demaunded , whiche was the moste difficill , and hardest thinge in the world , he answeared , that it was to holde our peace , and talke not . S. Ambrose also to this purpose in his Offices , layeth emonge the principal foundations of Vertue , the patience that man shoulde vse in silence . The Romaines emonge other the vanities of their Goddes , had a Goddesse Pline , Lib. 3. Cap. 5. of Silence , whiche had to name , Angeronna , which they painted euermore in token of silence , with finger continually preste on her mouthe . Pline also writeth , that on the xxii . of December they Sacrificed still vnto her . Which also witnesse M. Varro , Solinus , and Macrobius . A God of Silence was in manner semblable honoured of the Aegyptians , whiche , they , as the others , with finger in mouthe purtrayed . In like sorte hath Catullus , and Ouid described this Idolle . And hence is well knowen , howe thei reuerenced a good Secretorie , in that they adored these Idolles as Goddes . Salomon in his Prouerbes saith , That a Kinge should drinke no Wine , for other reason none , saue that , who dronke is , can in no wise kéepe , or Silence , or Counsell : and supposeth him further moste vnwoorthye to Raigne , that cannot well couer his Secretes of importance . And againe he saith , That who so discloseth a Secrete committed to him , is a plaine , and open Traytour : and who so well kéepeth it , is a loyall , and faithfull Friende .