History surveyed in a brief epitomy, or, A nursery for gentry comprised in an intermixt discourse upon historicall and poeticall relations : wherein is much variety of discourse and modest delight / by Richard Braithwaite.

A SVRVEY Of HISTORY : OR , A NURSERY for the GENTRIE .

JN the SURVEY OF HISTORIES , the true Relators of things done ; with a probable Collection of things to come , by precedent events : J thought good compendiously to contract some especiall Caveats , as well for observance in Historicall Discourses , A three-fold Division . as for prevention of such inconveniences ( or exorbitances rather ) as happily might occurre in such Narrations . 1. Scope of Histories . First therefore I have propounded to my selfe this Method , ( by way of inference ) to Describe the true scope at which all Histories ought to ayme , 2. Fruit of Histories . and to which , they should principally be directed . Secondly , to distinguish of severall uses and Fruites of Histories : The end whereof being exactly set downe , a dijudicating power may easily collect from what Subject the choicest and selectedst Fruits may be deduced . 3. The profit redounding to private Families by Histories . Thirdly , the profit which redounds to every State , either Aristocraticke , Democraticke , or Monarchicke , by the true and understanding use of Histories .

THE true use and scope of all Histories ought to tend to no other purpose , than a true Narration of what is done , or hath beene atchieved either in Forraigne or Domesticke affaires ; with a modest Application ( for present use ) to caution us in things Offensive , and excite us to the management of imployments in themselves generous , and worthy imitation .

☞ For the true description of History ; as it hath ever beene held the Treasury of Time , in which were laid up and deposited the Actions and glorious Exploits of preceding Worthies : As wee would be very loath , that any Evidence importing our private estates , should be either diminished or darkened : so much more , in what might consequently tend to the prudent mannagement of publicke Estates , to suffer the least obscurity , would argue in us either an apparant dis-esteeme of our Praedecessors actions , or a remisnesse in our selves , to neglect so spreading or propagating a Seminary ; which , as former times recommended to our care , so should it be our care by a discreet circumspection , to preserve .

Let us then reflect a little upon the Vtility of it , besides those incomparable delights , which to a modest and serious judgement , are highly reputed .

First , should these Annals perish , what more could the merit or approvement of Vertue gaine to her selfe , but what the injury of Times usually throws upon deserving personages , Oblivion ? No difference betwixt the desperate attempts of an impiously-audacious , and odiously-perfidious Cateline , and a noble State-affecting Vtican . Nay , we should lose those Eminent Types and Copies of all imitable Morality , should wee in rubbish bury the Surviving Records of History . We shall heere see , what even Morall Naturall men observed , and how constantly they stood in defence of what their glorious lives have proposed . No danger so apparant , no threat so truculent , no Opponent so over-awing or violent , which could weaken their Resolves , or make them Recreants to their just Designes . The whole progresse of their Lives , as it was a continued Line , whose period ever closed with Honour : so were their Deaths no lesse memorable , and in their setting sent forth the best lustre .

How sweetly then relish these Discourses to a retired Spirit ? who , withdrawne from imployment either through infirmity of Age , weaknesse of Health , or dis-respect of Time , may take a full Survey of what ha's beene done , with a comparable Relation of what is now done : An excellent benefit redounding from History to retyred spirits . and so by conferring Persons and Actions preceding , with those now in present enjoying ; may collect the vicissitude of times , and become an Agent by reading , what they could not aspire to by personall action .

And with what easie sweetnesse may this be acquired ? With what a pleasing privacy purchased ? They need not expose themselves to the perills of a feare-surprized Campe , nor the surging billows of a raging Ocean : Their private Arbour may be their Centinell ; no Alarmes to disturbe them , no feares within , nor foes without to distemper them . And having taken a full and free perusall of former States , with the strange grounds of their rising , and their unexpected Catastrophes in their declining : what singular uses may they propound to themselves , by consideration had to the mutable and anxious Conditions of all times : seeing how even those Republicks , which promised to themselves most security , were enforced to runne into other channells , and to have their memories drowned in them , when they had mounted to the highest pinne and pitch of Felicity : And these to discourse of with a confident judgement , as if they had beene Actors personally in these Scenes : what usefull knowledge may it beget to themselves , what delight to their Hearers ?

Secondly , should these memorable Records be lost , which have onely power to keepe men alive , when seeming dead , This that Imperiall State of Congo , had she beene sensible of her owne wants , might have perceived ; who keeps no Histories of their ancient Kings , nor any memoriall of the Ages p●st , because they can not write . They measure their times generally by the Moones : they know not the Houres of the Day , nor of the night : but they use to say In the time of such a Ma● , such a thing happened . and by the Revivall of their Actions , to produce in stirring spirits a desire of emulating their Vertues , the very forme and Method of ancient governments , whose platformes have not a little conduced to the mannaging and marshalling of present Estates , should be utterly razed and extinguished .

What excellent Law-givers have former Ages yeelded ? what usefull Lawes have they enacted ? How strongly these laboured to preserve , what their care had studied and published ? How strictly moderate became many States , which discreet Sobriety ever redounded to their succeeding glory ?

Nor did they , though their darkned Judgements could never reach to a true and infallible conceit of Eternity ; shew the least ostentation in the course or pursuite of their Actions , or State-directions . Their desire was to expresse a reall goodnesse , without erection of Statues , to memorize them to after-ages . Honour they sought not , being conferred on them unsollicited ; and disvalued by them , when freely offered . These , Histories commend , and tender them to our observation , as Morall Presidents deserving our imitation .

Can we then eye these , and conceive no desire of rectifying our selves ? Shall Morall men , who confined their hopes to Elizian Chymera's , outstrip us , who retaine in us higher hopes , and make Eternity our Spheare ? Shall we peruse t●ese without a glowing blush , when we consider what beamlings of a divine Intellect darted themselves on these , in comparison of that pure Diaphanicall light which so gloriously shines upon us ?

Melanct. in Epist. ad tert. Lib. Chron. Carion . He described History in a just modell and proportion , who tearm'd it the very Picture , Embleme , or Mirror of Mankind : wherein are to bee seene the perplexities and perills of Empires , and of the Church it selfe : upon Survey whereof , and an equall reflexe to our selves , we may learne how to demeane us in a modest way , both in respect of a civill Society , vid. Brit. Orig. and politick government , as likewise in the Church Militant ; especially , by taking notice of our owne and others infirmities , bethinking alwayes of this , how that Divisions from what Origen or Source so ever they spring , are not so soone quenched ; and how for the most part , long continued Warres , and mutations of States are successively derived from one breach . These , former times have ever observed ; and by their Observations happily succeeded . They made use of Histories , as principall directions for State-government . They collected what was imitable , and they reduced them to use . They found no State so secure from foes abroad , or feares within , as it felt not many times the hostile incursion of the one , as well as the private intrusion of the other . This made them more secur'd , because others mishaps kept them from holding themselves too secure . They observed the occasions of rising States , with the probable reasons of their decline . They found a period to the most flourishing Empires , and gath'red thence , ( with a free and ingenuous acknowledgment , their dependance upon another more absolute independent power ) no policy nor humane providence could divert , what that Divine Soveraignty had decreed .

This the prudent'st and powerfull'st have seene instanced , and in this Worlds Theatre presented , and in the discovery of them have trembled . Foolish wisdome they found in whatsoever was humane : when many times , their owne strength became the ruine of their State ; by converting their owne powers , and turning the edge of their owne Swords upon their owne bleeding Intralls ; as if they had aymed at nothing more , than to lay their owne Provinciall honour in the Dust , and to raise a new fabricke of Estate to some other surreptitious Nation . What variety of Examples , Stories will afford us of this nature , I appeale to the Candid and impartiall Judgement of any pure or uncorrupted Censor .

Againe , to take a view of the mutable condition of all States ; and how Victorious Princes , whose Motto's seemed to vie with the Herculean Non ultra ; became eyther personall Actors of their owne Tragedies , or visible Spectators of their unexpected miseries : And therein more unhappy , because once happy , would afford no lesse matter of admiration , then motives of compassion . Mithridates that invincible Prince and incomparable Artist , even Hee , who had discomfitted in divers set battailes , Lucius Crassus , Oppius Quintus , and Manius Acilius , being at last overcome by Scylla , Lucullus , and utterly by Pompey , for all his Infinite Treasure in Talauris ; those many Confederate Princes which admired his Valour , interposing themselves to prevent his danger , and the ample boundiers of his Kingdome so largely extended ; had for all this , his body ( the poore remainder of so great glory ) buried at the charge of the Romans , being sent by Pharmaces in Gallies to Pompey .

Nor shall we have onely here presented as in a Chrystalline Mirror , these Tragicke Disasters of eminent Princes , whose falls , as they were steps to others rising , so were they excellent Lectures of Instruction to all ambitiously aspiring ; but likewise the infelicity of such who adheered to them : yet , behold the misery of Greatnesse ! Neither could others miseries informe them , nor their precipitious falls caution them , nor those numerous Instances of mutability recall them . Diadems were more attractive Objects than to be lost through feare , or rejected for a powerfull Competitor . Soveraignty is a taking baite ; yet is it ever accompanied with hopes and feares . This caused Antonies Angel to be affraid of Octavius Angel .

Albeit , some , whose solid Judgments or bitter Experience had wrought deeper impressions in their composed tempers , were so farre aliened from this conceit of admiring Greatnesse , or titular State , as they conceived nothing more miserable than to be so surcharged . Seleuchus being King , and one of an extensive power , was wont to say , that if a man knew with what cares a Diadem was clogged , he would not take it up though it lay in the Streete .

When the Romans had despoiled Antiochus of all Asia , he gave them great thanks , saying , they had rid him of many insupportable cares .

This princely composure of affections wrought no lesse effects upon Dioclesian , who voluntarily relinquished the flourishingst Empire in the world .

Nor can we esteeme any person more truely deserving Honour , than he , who can with a composed minde and cheerefull affection , as if he were ingaged to no such glorious yoake , suffer himselfe to forgo it , and retaine still the same spirit , when in the eye of the World he seemes most dejected . A Philosopher perceiving Dionysius to sit merrily in the Theater , Those most fit to governe Nations , who have power to moderate their naturall passions after hee was expulsed his Realme , condemned the peop● 〈◊〉 banished him : Holding those more fit to governe States , who could moderate their affections , attemper their passions , and discover a cheerefull countenance in troubled waters .

Neither many of those ancient Heroës , so much transported with an ambitious desire of Soveraignty , Cic. Tusc. Quaest lib. 1. as they were with the apprehension of a glorious Victory . This made that fluent , but affective Orator , so much enlarge himselfe , in the recitall of those noble and memoralble actions done by Themistocles and Epaminondas : which he continues in this ample Memoriall to their succeeding glory . The Sea shall sooner overwhelme the Isle it selfe of Salamine , than it shall drench the remembrance of the Salamine Tryumph ; and the Towne of Leuctra in Boaetia shall sooner be razed , than the remembrance of the Field there fought , forgotten ; exemplifi'de in the prowesse of Themistocles and Epaminondas .

Their aymes were confin'd to their owne Fame , or Countries Renowne : their ambition was not to governe , but to conquer ; as others of more remisse and retardate spirits , rather to governe than conquer : which diversity of dispositions may be found portrayed to life upon the Survey of History .

So as , it pleased the Orator to call History the Glasse , or Mirror of mans life ; charactering the whole compasse of this Universe , the states of Princes , events of Warres , conquests of renowned Captaines , even all Designes , either publick or private , by a succinct Description , or Map rather , expressing every particular Affaire : and what ( as a worthy Historian hath observed ) can be imagined more worthy admiration , then in a safe and retired Port , in the Harbour of secure Rest , in our private Reposes , to see there a Prince beleagured with many Hostile Opponents , straight by miraculous meanes defeating them , and by his owne policy , ( the supreme purpose of the Almighty ) to plant himselfe in tranquility , where ( as farre as humane Apprehension could reach ) nought but imminent ruine could be expected : there a City by wise and discreet government wonderfully preserved : here amidst concealing or shadowing rather of the Conquerours exploits by his moderation in conquering , implies how be could beare his fortunes , if he were conquered . We may read no State in her selfe so secure , but may be shaken ; exemplified well in Rome , the Governesse of ample Territories , and now made subject to those which were her subjects : No Prince of so prosperous imployments , so successive proceedings , or generall forces , but either vanquished at home or abroad : abroad by forraigne powers , or at home by his owne illimited affections ; instanced in that great and potent Prince of Macedon , who ( though Prince of the whole world ) could not play Prince of his little world , being slaved to distempered passions . No City but sore harased , if not razed . Nor could that Italian Tryacala ( which taking her denominate from the Greeke , comprehends all beauty ) stand against the injury of Time , or withstand the battry of all assaults , which makes me taxe that City of Arrogance , ( whereof Hyppolitus speaketh in his Booke of the Increase of Citties ) upon the gates whereof was this Impresse ingraven , The Citties Motto tryumphant . Intacta manet . To see these States so well and lively decoloured , cannot conferre lesse delight ( being grounded on Vertue , where all true and perfect delights bee seated ) than the Relation of the Troian Affaires ( being made by so excellent and experimented an Historian as Ithacus ) delighted that chaste Greeke Penelope : Theseus Travels Ariadne , or Alcides Labours Omphale . But to the use of History .

History being a Mint of profit and delight , the seasoning of more serious studies , the Reporter of cases adjudged by event , the enterlude of our haps , the image of fortune , the compendiary directer of affaires , the representer of humane successe , the infallible character ( by colation had with things past , and things to come ) of succeeding events : should not aime at lascivious stories , amorous subjects ( unlesse by way of digression to smooth a serious discourse with a modest insertion of mirth ) but to prosecute the argument of the History without frivolous Ambages , or impertinent circumstances . Affectation ill beseemes an Historian : For he should understand what office he supports ; not any thing drain'd from his owne invention , but to performe the charge of a sincere relation . I approve of his opinion that thought , Invention to be least needfull to an Historian , but Disposition more than to any . It is sufficient for an Historian to expresse what he hath read or seene , truly , without concealing any thing , in partiall respect to any person , making truth the period of his discourse . The Philosopher thought a poore man was not to be an Historian : for necessity would inforce him to temporise and observe humors : Nor a rich man , for he had his eye fixed upon his estate , and durst not un-rip great mens errors , lest he should lose by his labours . But I disapprove his censure , and resell it with anothers opinion of the same sect : Si dives , de fortunis & infortunijs scribat , sic enim utriusque fortunae sortem aequius ferat . Si pauper , de fortunis scribat , ut cum eas attigerit , melius eas regat & teneat . The error of judgement should not be appropriated either to want , or eminence of fortune : for so should we subject the inward to the outward , the intelectuall power to the externall varnish ; preferring the eye of the body before the light of the minde . Yet to intermeddle in estates , so much as to disable them ( by extenuating their powers ) lessening their revenewes , or eclypsing their pristine honor and eminence , by mentioning some insuccessive events they have had by warre , or other occurrents , I wholly disallow it ; proceeding either from private envy to the State , or from malevolent nature ( unsitting for so good a professor ) apt to sting all , because an enemy to himselfe and all . States should not be layd too open : but when occasion serves to describe the seates of Countries , Regions , &c. or to touch the manners and conditions of inhabitants , how they live , and to what trades most inclined , with whom they have commerce , or the like , will not derogate any thing from the Scope of an History , or any way imply a digression . It is thought ( and that by the Authentick'st Historians ) that Caesar , by the description of Volateranus , which he made of Britaine , declaring how the people were savage , and unapt for military discipline , the places of defence unprovided : and then shewing how fruitfull the whole Island was , replenished with all necessaries ; was induced to take his expedition into Britaine , and to conquer it , though prevented by a Brutus , who , to rid Rome of his tyranny , restored poore Britaine to her liberty , for his journey was stayed by Death .

☞ Albeit , what soveraignty the Romans had in this Island , may appeare by those numerous Cohorts , Colonies , and Regiments disposed and dispersed throughout most places of consequence in this Kingdome . Besides those many different Coines , Monumentall inscriptions , ancient Sculptures and Impressures , all which confirme their long reside , command and plantation with us .

Antiquities of this kinde are very frequent , especially in the Northerne parts ; where sundry sorts of Mettalls , Stones , with much Art and Curiosity ingraven , are oft-times found in the ruines of some demolished Fort , or turn'd up with the plough-share ; as an Urne , proportioned to the ancient Ovall forme , was lately found neare to the Borough-Towne of Kendall : wherein were bones , some solid , others turn'd to ashes ; all whice imply what neare society , and continued corrospondence they held with us .

Nor should I with more free election or affectionate devotion , recommend any Stories to the Survey of our Gentry , than these , which informe them in the knowledge of their owne Soile : wherein they shall finde many memorable Relations , worthy their observance and retention . For , albeit we esteeme him no man of Travaile , unlesse he hath travers'd forraigne Countries , and conversed with them both in their Language and Manners : yet shall I ever hold this for an undoubted positive Doctrine ; that should wee finde a man who had enter'd commerce with the whole World , could discourse of the diversity of all Tongues , and returne their proper distinct Idioms : yea , such an one , as had ingratiated himselfe by his Gentile garbe in the affection of all Estates ; and in a polish'd formall discourse could tell you , how hee had seene Iudasses Lanterne at St. Dennisses , the Ephesian Diana in the Louure , the great Vessell at Heidelberg , the Amphi-Theatre at Vlismos , the Pyramids of Aegypt , with the incredible manner of their Obits , the Stable of the great Mogol , or the Solemnities of Mecha : yet were all these generall Notions of forraigne States uselesse , being estranged from the knowledge of his owne Native Soile . Yea , should hee inlarge his discourse in all these , by expressing himselfe in such a Dialect , as might deservingly beget an Admiration in the Hearer , yet descending to his owne , and shewing himselfe most ignorant , wherein hee should be best experienc'd , he could merit no lesse than just reproofe : in so undervaluing his owne , as to publish himselfe sufficiently read in all places but at home . An English fault I must confesse ; whose condition it is to admire nothing more , nor with an eager affectation to pursue ought more , than the fancies and shadows of Strangers : Whose fashions bee they never so unbeseeming , they cannot want our imitation , because introduced by a strange Nation . These resemble Painters , whose Art it is to make f ces , but to forget their owne .

Nor is it my purpose in this , to taxe the commendable Travailes of such , who with much danger and hazard have improved their owne knowledge , and benefited others by their undertakings in aslayes of this nature . Travaile I know to be the most accomplish●d ornament of a Gentleman : enabling him both for businesse and discourse : but to travaile so farre from our owne , as to make our selves strangers to what neareliest concernes us , argues a neglect in our selves , by a contempt or dis-esteeme of our owne .

Wee shall read in all Records of antiquity , with what heate and height of desire , all such persons as interessed themselves in compiling any Historicall relations , ever pitcht upon description of their owne Countreys : with a continuation of such Heroick acts , exployts , and designes , as might conferre a deserving lustre upon her . Meane time , it was not the least of their care to bestow an impartiall penne in the deblazon of every person or action . Their greatest ambition was , to magnifie truth : to cloath vertue with her owne native habit , and discover the deformity of vice , were the subject never so eminent , whereof they wrote .

Neither were these Tasks onely for masculine Spirits : Ladies much addicted both to perusing & compiling of Histories . for many eminent Ladies were usually vers'd in these studies , to their honours , and the admiration of their Successors . Zenobia after the death of Odonatus her deare spouse , though a Barbarian Queene , yet by her reading of both Romane and Greeke Histories , so mannaged the State after the decease of her husband , as shee retained those fierce and intractable people in her obedience : and in a Princely privacy reserving some select houres for perusall of History , which held good correspondence with her Majesty , she abridged the Alexandrian , and all the Orientall Histories : a taske of no lesse difficulty than utility , whereby she attained the highest pitch of wisedome and authority . The like inward beauty might be instanced in many other eminent Personages of that Sexe ; whose excellent composures in this kinde survive the vading period of time ; as that vertuous Cornelia , mother to the victorious Gracchus ; who , as she was an Exemplar or Mirrour of goodnesse and chastity , so by the improvement of her Education to her children , she exprest her selfe a noble Mother , in seasoning their unriper yeares in the studies of History , Poesy , and Philosophy . Next her , Portia , Brutus his wife ; Cleobula , daughter to Cleobulus one of the seaven Sages of Greece . The daughter of Pythagoras , who after his death governed his Schoole ; excelling in all Historicall discourses , which wee here so much commend ; and afterwards erecting a Colledge of Virgins , she became governesse or guardinesse over it . What shall I say of Theano daughter to Metapontus , a disciple of the same Sect ? What of Phemone , who first gave life to an Heroïcke Verse : and in exquisite composures recounted the memorable actions and occurrents of her time ? what of Sulpitia , Calenus his wife , who left behind her most soveraigne precepts touching wedlocke , with the relations of that age , in a most proper and elegant stile ? And Hortensia daughter to that most famous Orator Hortensius , who for copiousnesse of speech , gravity or weight of sentence , gave a living luster to her lines , a succeeding fame to her workes ? And Edesia borne at Alexandria , one of such learning , sweetnesse of disposition , as she was highly admired by those that lived in her time : and amongst other excellences , singularly read in Histories ; then held a study worthy the entertainment of noblest Ladies ? And Corinnathia , who is reported to have surpassed the Poet Pindarus in artfull and exact composures : contending with him five severall times , as may be probably gathered by the testimonies of the ancient , for the Garland or Coronet , usually bestowed upon such glorious followers and favourites of the Muses ? And Paula , Seneca's wife , a Matron not onely improved by his instructions , but highly enriched by the benefit of her owne proper studies : ever reserving some choyce houres for the perusall of such relations as either in those or preceding times had occurred . So as , we may very well collect , whence the ground of her husbands sorrow proceeded , in bewailing the ignorance of his mother , not sufficiently seasoned in the precepts of his Father : by reflecting upon the abilities of his Paula , whose discourse either for History or Morall Philosophy , appeared so genuine and proper , as her very name conferred on her family a succeeding honour . Lastly ( that I may not insist too long on these feminine Mirrors , lest they should taxe some of our Moderne Ladies of ignorance with other temporary errors ) Argentaria Pollia , wife to the Heroicke Lucan , is said to have assisted him in the apt composure of his Verses : being no lesse rich in fancy , than he himselfe when most enlivened by a Poëticall fury . Nor did she restraine her more prosperous studies onely to dimensions , being no lesse conversant in Historicall relations , than Poëticall raptures .

These , as they excelled not onely the most of their Sex , but the eminent'st personages of their time in a judicious and serious discussion of the fruits and benefits of History : so they deserve to succeeding times a just renuall of their memory : yea , some of their workes wrought singular effect in the most remisse and pusillanimous spirits of that time . For as in a Table we eye his feature , whom we doe here honour ; whose representation conveighes to our heart a vehement desire of imitation , of whatsoever we know imitable in him : So History , the exact mappe or discovery of humane affaires ; personates to us in lively colours , the modell of preceding times , with the dispositions of such persons as flourished in those times : which Survey begets in a manly spirit , an eager pursuit of their actions : considering , how fame is the constanst guardon of resolution . For as Themistocles walked in the night time in the open street , because he could not sleepe : the cause whereof when some men did inquire , he answered that the fame-dispersed triumph of Miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest : Cic. Tusc. lib. 4 So the relation of others actions begets a glorious emulation in every noble spirit .

And ( doubtlesse ) there is nothing which inflames the minde of man more unto valour and resolution , than the report of the acts of their Ancestors , whose monuments remaining of record with this impresse : Non norunt haec monumenta mori , must needs stirre up in them a desire of imitation .

Many examples I could produce herein , as the Trophies of Miltiades , inducements of imitation to Caesar : the acts of Achylles to Alexander , of Vlysses to Telamon ; of the Greekish Heroës to Prymaleon , of Danaus to Linceus , Aegeus to Theseus . Many times ( wee read ) where a naturall defect and want of courage was seated , even a retrograde from rhe spheare of valor , there ( though a barren seed-plot to worke on ) by Historicall discourse hath magnanimity shewne her selfe in more perfect and reall colours , than if nature her selfe had implanted in that man a Native desire to fight ; so powerfull is History in her selfe , where nature in her selfe expresseth small power . This discourse therefore should not bee imployed in any thing save in excitements to Glory , motives to warlike designes ; since by it valour is quickned , a desire of honour inflamed , Countries fame dispersed , and monuments of never-dying glory erected : O then , who should so disallow the precious treasure of a refined discourse , as to mixe it with impudent & scurrillous inventions ; such fictions as are not onely in themselves fabulous , but to the unstaid Reader ( of which sort we have too many ) mortally dangerous ? Which fables in my opinion fall among the impertinent & feigned Fables called Milesiae ; only aiming at the depravation of manners , and the effeminating best-resolved Spirits . The ripenesse whereof ( by such unseasoned discourses ) become blasted before their time : O that the depravednes of these times should taint so generally approved study : making Histories meere Panygiricks ( Poems of adulation ) to insinuate & wind themselves into the affection of the Great , leaving the Scope of an Historian to gaine by their studious traffick .

But let us returne to the office of a good Historian : Office of an Historian . He will not write but upon singular Grounds , reasons impregnable ; conferring with the best to make his narrations confirmed of the best : Hee writes the stories of Princes truely , without concealing their errours ( by way of silencing them ) or comment upon an History , annexing to it an unnecessary glosse . He will not be so engaged to any , as that he will bee restrayned of his Scope ; or so countermanded , as that he must of necessity illustrate vice ; vertue cannot passe without her character : A good Historian will alwayes expresse the actions of good men with an Emphasis , to solicite the Reader to the affecting the like meanes , whereby he may attaine the like end . This was the cause , all the noble Heroës in ancient time did leave to posterity their acts to imitate : not so much for recording their owne memorable lives , as for the propagating their Countries eternall honour by succeeding Worthies . As those establishers of good and wholesome Lawes made themselves with their Countrie renowned : Mynos and Radamanth among the Cretensians ; Orpheus among the Thracians ; Draco and Solon in Athens ; Lycurgus in Laecedemon ; Zamolxis among the Scythians : Nor be Historians ( if so the professors merit that stile ) of lesse esteeme than the prudentest and most experienced Statists . For these direct every Senator in politicke affaires , by producing such as excelled in administration of justice ; describing the very natures of such Lawes , and the causes why such Lawes were anacted to present times .

☞ True it is , that experience hath begot wisedome , and memory as a Mother hath brought it forth . This might be instanced in nothing more to life than in these Heroicke Actors , and Historicall Relators of what is acted . The former by an experienc'd hand and resolute heart not onely contrives but atchieves what may most conduce to the honour of his Countrey , and the succeeding renowne of his owne family . The latter becomes a serious , constant and competible Record to the former : by commending to writing whatsoever merited either approovement , or might justly lay an aspersion of dishonour upon the undertaker . For as the definition of History is to bee circumscribed by no straiter bounds , than these proper extensive attributes : The witnesse of times , the light of truth , the life of memory , and the messenger of antiquity ; so are all memorable actions of preceding times by her to posterity recommended : and these with the light of verity and perspecuity to be cloathed ; that the life of those actions may bee better preserved , and antiquity in her owne native , though naked habite , presented .

It is most certaine , that many excellent Patriots , whose sole honour it was to advance their Countries glory , though by their owne ruine ; preferring her quarrell before their owne lives ; have utterly refused to have any Statues erected in their memory : holding Vertue in her owne pure unblemished essence , to be a monument of more perpetuity , than all materiall structures , lyable to the period of time : yet did never any of them withdraw themselves from being recorded in these bookes of Fame : accounting them Earthly Elisiums , for memorizing their actions after death , which crowned their names with triumphall honours during life . Hence it was , that Cicero mov'd Luceius ( one of a dext'rous penne , and confirmed fame ) to record his acts in his writings : and Plinius Iunior wished nothing more than to be mentioned in the Histories of Cornelius Tacitus , because he did foresee their succeeding memory .

Now , to insist a little upon that rich and unvaluable Trafficke , which these our late-declining times have had with their predecessors : we shall finde , that as former States received much improvement by the relation and recollection of forraine Lawes , which being made , by a discreet use and reduction of them , more proper and peculiar , highly advanced those Municipall States where they became established : So even our own times , though refined , and by collection and collation of many Lawes , with election of the best , breathing nothing else than an absolute state of government , neede not to be ashamed to make use of some especiall Lawes enacted and duely executed by Ethnicks , both in meat , drinke , and attire .

For the first , the Spartans held it no derogation nor dishonour to them , to conforme themselves to the Laconian Order , strict , but healthfull ; proportioning such a measure both for meat and drinke , as Lessius himselfe , had hee lived in those times , might have seene his owne physicall directions so punctually observed , that nothing could be to life better portrayed , than to behold so temperate-abstemious a course generally practised . And to deterre others from too loose and luxurious feeding ; it was their care to erect sundry Statues or Images , to represent the fatall-fearefull ends of such , who expos'd themselves to riot .

As the feature of Heliogabalus , the effeminate Sardanapalus , the unbounded Ericthous , the insatiat Cambletes , whose infamous life clos'd itselfe with as ignominious a death : for this gluttonous Lydian King having in a Dreame devoured his wife , while she lay sleeping with him together in the same bed ; and finding her hand betweene his teeth , when he awaked , he slew himselfe , fearing dishonour . Which Modells portrayed not onely to life , but explained by proper Impresses , wrought wonderfull effects in the taking Spectator . For as that Rhetoricall Improver of his Countrey , and Reviver of her Language , Cicero . was wont to say ; There is nought that can bee taught without example : whence it came to be a custome amongst the ancient Lacedemonian Fathers , to present their Eliotes , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : or slaves in solemne Festivalls before their children , to act all their Obscenities by action , gesture , and every unseemely or undecent posture , to deterre them from Drunkennesse , and other bestiall qualities incident to that vice .

For the second , so cautious were former times of their Honour , and so fearefull lest they should darken that divine lustre of the intellect with that broad-spreading Tetter or Deluge of liquor : Plato reports , that Kinswomen used to kisse their Kinswomen , to know whether they drunke Wine or no , and if they had , they were to be punished by death , or banished into some Island . Plutarch saith , that if the Matrons had any necessity to drinke Wine , either because they were sicke or weake , the Senate was to give them licence , and that priviledge might not be admitted in Rome neither , but out of the City . Macrobius affirmes , that there were two Senators in Rome chiding ; and the one called the others Wife an Adulteresse , and the other his Wife a Drunkard ; and it was judged that to be a Drunkard was more infamy .

Such strong impression had their Lawes , and the life of those Lawes , which is Execution , wrought upon them , as nothing became more dishonourable than this odious vice ; and Heavens grant , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Eccles● 31. that it may be no lesse disrelished by us , who weare a far more glorious and honorable Cognisance than these Ethni●ks ever attain'd to .

For the third , they hated nothing more than light-phantasticke habits : They were constant in their attire ; their Trafficke was not to ingage their Countrey to forraine fashions ; nor foole the State with Fowles feathers . It was not one of their least cares to prevent all occasions of too sumptuous apparell in persons of all conditions : but by all meanes , to reteine a seemely distinction or difference betwixt men of quality , and those o● obscurer ranke . Yea , Histories will deliver to us what especiall observances were used in all these , with the penalties inflicted upon such delinquents as were refractory in any of these .

Now , a reflexe upon these , should induce us not onely to conceive all gorgeous attire to be the attire of sinne , but to observe that decent forme , or rule of distinction in our habit , that we may become exemplarie unto others , by making use of what we have read : never holding it any derogation to receive any life of Instruction from others direction , though their Transcripts were onely Ethick , and shew'd not in them that fulnesse of beauty , which now so clearely shines upon us .

THese Ages have beene , and are to this day , Use of Transcriptories . much indebted to Transcriptions . Inventions are oft-times slow , where the application of things invented to the present State seemes more facile and easie : Hereto then should the Scope of Histories tend ; not onely to personate the Acts of men upon the Theater of this world , but likewise to cull out such Lawes , Orders , and Precepts , as well Morall as Divine , which may benefit their present estate . A memorable Caveat for all corrupters of Iustice . Sysambris skin was a good caveate for succeeding Judges : Justice before went on crutches , and more were troubled with Demosthenes disease than with Phoycions bluntnesse . The Historian must not sow pillows to the elbowes of Magistrates , nor sooth corruption with an humour of shadowing vice : He shows what was done : and commends the one to reprehend the other . Vertue never wants her Character , nor vice her reproofe : For such Historicall Relations as induce to vertue , and deterre from vice , comprehend in them the true use of such subjects , being Apologeticall and Morall to reforme , not Mylesian or prophane , to deforme or disfigure the exact Symmetrie of a vertuous Idiome . What honour the Worlds Monarch did to Homer . No marvell if Alexander laid the workes of Homer under his head , being such as directed him to be a Head , how to governe Provinces , how to sway his inordinate affections ; so as Cleanthes Table ( Vertues best elucidary ) had her Liberall Sciences never better portrayed , than the differences 'twixt true Fortitude , and a foole-hardy boldnesse were by Homer deblazoned . Here a Hector , badge of true valour ; there an Antenor , whose gravity purchas'd him honour ; there a Diomedes , The Method Poets reteined in their Heroicall measures , Historicall relations . no lesse wise than resolved ; here a Troilus , stout enough , but unadvised ; here warres well managed abroad , but lesse successive at home , exemplified in Agamemnon ; there a subtile sconse , no lesse fraighted with policy than successe , in Synon . All these are expressed by that Heroïck Historian .

Qui quid sit pulchrum , quid turpe , quid utile , quid non , Plenius as melius Chrysippo & Crantore dicit .

These acts could not but minister sufficient matter of admiration to such Judicious Readers , as apprehended each circumstance in the subject ; making that apt connexion of all , that the body might seeme more excellent , by the proportioning of every member .

Severall fruits of History . HIstories in themselves are diverse , producing severall fruits to the perusers , according to every mans affection : which made that Moderne Historian compare them to a Banquet , wherein were to bee served severall dishes ; some to provoke appetite , others to satiate ; more delightfull subjects penned for relishing more serious studies ; graver discourses to ripen the understanding , by applying the instructions of forraigne States to our owne judgements : where we may make use of the best part of man ( in his reasonable power ) and that is Election : approving of what is good , or may in it selfe be beneficiall to the State : and slightly observing discourses of indifferency , as accomplements , ceremonies , circumstances , and the like , resembling faire frontispices which are made rather for ornament than use .

IT is necessary for a good Historian to have maturity of judgement , to apprehend what is fittest for his discourse , and to be as little complementall as may be , lest the varnish marre the worke ; for the words of an Historie in my opinion jumpe with Mirandula : — Vt non sint lecta , ita nec neglecta : Profit of History . the one implies a kind of dejection , the other a minde too curious to profit any , desiring onely to please himselfe . Caesar in his Commentaries , sheweth no lesse discipline in the Art of History , than in the discipline of Armes : using a stile as wel fitting a Souldier , as curiosity the smooth tongue of an Orator . It is true which was observed of him : Si acta eius penitus ignorasses , per linguā tamen militem esse diceres : Si nescirem Caesarem , dicerem te militem . Having neither his phrases too selected ( as to shew a singularity ) or too neglected , to expresse a carelesnesse in his writing .

☞ Now , to propose a forme of Style , and what may best suite with the quality of an Historian ; I will not arrogate so much to my selfe : onely let me in a word explode that which in the opinion of all such as have writ touching the Style , carriage , or office of an Historian , deserves reproofe .

For an Historian than to use too polish'd or terse a Style , or to play the Orator , when he should performe the office of a Relator , would not relish of discretion . Or to spinne out the webbe of his discourse in fruitlesse diversions , which rather perplexe the immazed Reader , than enlighten his understanding , implies either want of matter , or want of order . To goe on in a free and unaffected Style ; beseemes his person : proposing things done , as if they were ocularly presented : and albeit , it be not the happy fate of all Historians with the Princely Caesar and sincere Comines , to bee personally present at those Conquests or Discomfits whereof they write ; yet by collections or intelligence many have composed , at least compiled excellent workes meriting no lesse improvement than if they had beene there in person present . And no doubt , though information cannot be so firme a ground to build upon , as a personall presentation of what is done : yet , being seriously intentive and sollicitous from whose relations they receive intelligence ; using likewise a seasonable deliberation to try the issue or event thereof , before hee commit to publicke , what was delivered unto him in private : he may by his owne diligence , with other accommodations , perfect what hee intends , and incurre few obliquities .

I have knowne indeed , divers , who onely breathed their owne Countrey ayre : and never walked farther than their owne Pastures ; to have writ with much confidence of forraigne Seats , Historians by Intelligence & perusall of others Labours the government of their State , the barrennesse or fertility of their ground ; the disposition of their inhabitants ; their commerce with other nations . Their Lawes , Edicts , and Constitutions : all which by their industrious collection they have so laboriously reduced , so properly compiled , and and methodically digested , as not only the maine Basis or foundation whereon the whole Frame or Fabricke of their History subsisted , but the very circumstances , inferences , and illustrations confirm'd them Travellers in those Countries whereof they discoursed .

This I confesse is a great felicity in an Author , and deserves a just guerdon for his labour . Albeit , should any one unawares converse with any of these touching the Site , Degrees , or Temperature of any such Province they have described : how miserably would they wander , and commit more errours in one houres space with their tongue , than a whole yeare could rectifie with their penne ? Relations of this nature are so got by th' Booke , as their Remembrancer failes , when he is removed from his booke . Neverthelesse , it is not to be doubted , but that most of our ancient Historians whether Greek or Latine , have received their best helpes from others Labours : which may appeare by this , in that they wrote of such Persons and memorable actions as were many ages before their times . So as , not onely this distinct study of History , but generally all learning hath beene highly beholden to Transcriptions ( as I formerly observed ) for otherwise had the most eminent'st Labours in all ages perished .

It is to bee admired , by what Divine providence the ancient Records of long-preceding times have beene preserved ; The last chapter of the History of the Kingdome of China , printed in Macao , the first Latine Booke that ever was printed in China , maketh mention of the Iland St. Laurence under th● name of Madagascar : expressing in a proper phrase ( the more to be admired in so illiterate a time ) the Si●e , Distance , and Commodities of that place . especially , wanting those improving helpes of Printing ; which , with what facility of Art , and felicity of Invention , have beene of late yeares to all Christendome recommended , I leave to the judicious to conceive , and conceiving to admire that peculiar benefit .

The people of China , indeed retained as a memorable appropriate to their antiquity , a certaine forme of Cyphering , whereof their impolish'd Art expressed some notions by stamps and impressions : but these were onely of use unto themselves , being so intricate and obscure , as it had beene a fruitlesse labour to have communicated them to any other , save onely to their owne Natives , without a knowing Interpreter .

No doubt , but many excellent workes formerly composed by ancient Authors , with no lesse industry than felicity , Divers memorable workes amongst the Ancient have perished , through want of Transcribing to posterity . both for Invention and Style , have perished : which might be no lesse probably than authentically collected by divers memorable pieces lost both amongst the Grecians and Romans . We make no question of Hortensius Eloquence , and that divers workes of his by the injury of time , have received that too common fate to Learning , extinction .

Cordus , an impartiall and uncorrupt Historian ; one who suffered for the Integrity he professed : reteining ever that honest resolution , that though the generall corruption of that time might truely conclude with Martial : Qui velit ingenio cedere , rarus erit .

He ever scorned to comply with Time , or feed the humour of an imperiall Libertine , or licentious Governor . This man , I say , or man of men , expressed his courage most , when those vitious and depraved times appeared worst . Yet , no doubt , many of those select and approved Labours which he had so seriously compiled , and to an Historicall Method reduced , remaine now obscured . Many inimitable workes not onely in their Embrio , but brought to their full height and accretion , were written by that matchlesse Caesar , whereof wee have now scarce any semblance remaining . And whence proceeded this Tetter to Learning , but from the want of that which we in so accurate manner enjoy , the benefit of Printing ? The tediousnesse of Transcribing occasioned this injury ; whereas , if the knowledge of the Presse had arrived there , all these inconveniences had beene prevented , those ancient Monuments of Learning , Martiall Experience , nay , of all Liberall Sciences had beene better preserved . Those poore Arcadian Shepheards , when they had no other meanes to continue the memory of their actions , or perpetuate their Loves , or recommend to posterity their Rurall Rapsodies , used to indorse their passionate Expressions in Rindes of Trees ; which seemes pleasantly shadowed at by the Poet : Nomina pas●o●es inscribunt cortice ●agi ; Cortice quaelaesà , non peritu●a manent . In barks of Trees Shepheards their loves ingrav'd , Which in the bole remain'd , when th' rinde was shav'd . So sollicitous were poore Swainlins to have the memory of their Pastoralls continued , as they used the best meanes they could to have them preserved .

Now , to us is a farre greater priviledge granted : our workes may be kept to posterity without any feare of so menacing an injury . As wee have the b nefit of P●int , so are those workes to produce some benefit , which wee intend to Print . Stampt they may be with a firmer Impression , to continue their names to a succeeding generation . It rests , that as this benefit is conferred on us , we bestow our Oyle on such Labours as may conduce to the publick : reteining ever a vertuous scorne , to close in ought that may detract from goodnesse , or to smother vice in the visage of greatnesse .

It was a religious Fathers continuate occasion of griefe , Aug. Med c. 4 which hee expressed in many devout aspirations and pious teares , to recall to minde those lighter and lesse consequent Studies , which his youth had affected , concluding with this passionate confession : Those studies which I once loved , now condemne me ; those which I sometimes praised , now disparrage me .

Let us reflect on this : and become discreetly cautious what we write ; what peculiar study we addresse our selves to ; that our yeeres of age may not blush when they peruse those Follies in Folio which our youth published .

True is that constant Maxime : Iuventus inventioni , Senectus castigationi aptior : How pregnant soever our wits be to invent ; how rich soever our fancies be to conceit ; how elegant soever our style to illustrate our discourse ; if the Subiect tend not to the practice of Piety ; but onely suite with the quality of the time , exposing our Lamps to lucre , or to procure unmerited honour ; our riper houres will bring us to a censure , and discover our follies in their owne naked and native feature . As then , we value our honour , or shall labour to preserve our memory to a succeeding age : let nothing passe under our Pen , nor receive life from our Conceit , but what with a discreet confidence we are assured of , that it may afford much benefit to that private or publick state to which it is addressed : and by a propagating power beget much profit in a conceiving Reader .

It is an observable note , which one experienc'd in assayes of this kind , sometimes said , and to our present purpose properly applyed : It is hard when the world shall shew mine infirmities under mine owne hand , said that knowing Roman . The way to free us from occasionall censure , is to conceale our selves from the world , who is many times a Lynceus to the lightest errour . Lateat haec una salus , was wise Ithacus his counsell to perplexed Andromache ; and mine shal be the same to every Author , in this censorious Maze of opinionate phrensie . Now to the election of our Style .

The Records of things done , commended to posterity , should not be enrolled , as the Chaldees did their Hieroglyphicks in Cyphers and intricate conclusions ; but in words most significant , phrases modestly elegant , and discourse most pertinent . Here , by way of digression , let me touch the ridiculous labours , and unfruitfull travailes of such who passe the Alpes , trace uncoth places , Desarts , Promontories ; for what end Heaven knows , save onely to wrest out a phantastick behaviour of superfluous wit , or to comment on others Travailes by way of dirision : These are such as upon their returne , publish what they have seene ; some more than they have seene , which I tearme Commenting Travellers : others lesse than they have seene , ( or at least the most impertinent ) which I tearme phantastick Travailers . Such as lye on their Travaile , either doe it for admiration , or having run upon the adverse shelvs of a deplored fortune , are enforced to invent strange things for the reliefe of their dejected estate . Such as publish lesse than they have seene , ( omitting things of the greatest consequence , to satisfie our humors with trifles ) doe it to gaine pregnancy , or singularity rather of conceit : they talke not of the Acts of Princes , nor the Sites of Regions , the temperature of such Clymates , or any materiall discourse , but to shew an exquisite straine of wit , purchased by a little fruitlesse travell : they insert frivolous occurrents , borrowed , or ( it may be ) invented by their owne phantasticke braines . These misse the marke a good Traveller should aime at : they should observe Lawes in forraigne places , like a good Lycurgus , to transpose so glorious a freight to their owne Countrey . They should not ( like our fashion-inventers , our Italianated Albionacts ) so much observe what is worne on the body , as what habit best beseemes the nature and condition of their minde . Since flourishing Common-weales are then the highest , when in externall habilliments the lowest : for Sparta never flourished more , than when she conformed her State to the imitation of the Laconians . Many Realmes have we knowne to be miraculously protected , by meanes of experienced men : which experience they either received by Travell or Example : yea , Vse of travell and example . many Empires ( and those of amplest circumference ) have beene reduced from a kinde of servitude within themselves , by experiments derived from a farre . For Travell , the excellent designes of Sertorius , Eumenes , Marius , and Antonius , may sufficiently confirme the profit to bee reaped thereby . For Example : We shall reade in all the Roman Annals , a certaine vehement desire in all the worthy Patritians of imitating whatsoever they perceived to bee worthy imitation in their predecessours ; Imitation in vertue . marking the events of their intendments , and collecting the goodnesse of the meanes by the prosperous successe in the end . These were worthy monumentall honours , that could not only imitate the vertues so transparant in others , but even exemplifie their memorable actions in themselves .

Wee are placed in the following Ages , but we scorne to follow the precedent times in their vertues , though expert enough in contriving politicke designes : the fabricke of our invention can dispose or transpose it selfe to any shape , any impression , for private gaine or advantage : but publicke affaires may be Advocates for themselves ; they are a Merchandise too farre estranged from our affections ; none will travaile to purchase their Countries peace : Solons we have few , that goe mad for their Countrey ; but Tarpeia's we have too many , that are madde with desire to betray their Countrey : Few Law-inacters , many Law-infringers : making wholesome Lawes , like Tarandulas webs ; wickets for great ones to come through , but snarles for little ones to hold .

Those ancient Emblemes stood profest Antipodes to these injurious Spiders ; ☞ whose desire is , that Iustice may still hold her comparison with the Celedonie stone , which retaineth her vertue no longer , than it is rubbed with gold . There were certaine Images of Judges , by report confirmed , and to their full proportions , with proper Motto's annexed , anciently rendred ; which were set up at Athens , ( at that time the select Seat of the Muses ) having neither hands nor eyes : implying , that Rulers and Magistrates , to whom the civill sword of justice was recommended , should neither be infected with bribes , nor any other way drawne from that which was lawfull and right .

Astraea , the goddesse of Justice , was portrayed before them ; her ballance hanging in an equall scale . The least deviation from what was just , ingaged the purple delinquent to an heavy censure . And this confirmed by the just and irrevocable decree of highest Emperours . Severus would have smoak'd such sellers of smooke . Zerxes would have pulled their skinne over their eares . This brought that flourishing-glorious estate to that spreading Empire in those happy dayes wherein Basil the Emperour of Constantinople lived ; of whom it is reported , that whensoever he came to his Judgement seat , he found neither party to accuse , nor defendant to answer .

I remember a certaine Modell of antick forme , Excellent Emblemes for deblazor●ng corrupt ●ustice . wherein were presented in Punick habits sixe grave personages , personating the office of Judges ; each of them portrayed to the full body , and discovered by their distinct Posture and Impresse : The first , as one made up of impertinences , intending more the houre how it passed , than how businesse were dispatched , sate winding up his Watch ; and above him these words writ in golden Letters : Quota est hora ? The next to him , as one rocked a●●eepe , sate a grave Endymion , carelesse how the world went , or how causes proceeded : his onely reside on a bench , was to take a nappe , and with all indifferency to recommend the carriage of all businesses unto another , so he might without disturbance , enjoy his slumber ; his Impresse , to answer the former : Omnibus dormio . The third , an imperious surly Saturnist , whose will was his Law ; one , who scorned to veile to anothers judgement , though his opinion were more just : preferring his owne voyce before the equity of the cause : which hee makes good with as confident an impresse : Sic volo , sic iubeo . The fourth , a conceiving Sage , who heares all , but sayes nothing : appearing as one wonne by affection ; or over-aw'd by command : or as one constantly resolv'd to comply with time , he approves with silence , what his owne knowledge dictates to him for unjust ; and this he seconds in these words : Video , sed taceo . The fifth , one of a strong working pulse , more apt to receive than a common Shore . His Nerves were described ever extended ; his Eyes fixt upon a visible object of approaching profit ; and his Lungs nearely consumed with a close infatigable whispering of , Quid dabis ? The last , in a scornfull eying and dis-esteeming of their irregular courses ; as one declining from their injurious carriage , which he conceipts unworthy the embrace of any sincere professant , who should make his life the line , by which others actions are to bee directed , others affections measured , concludes , Video & rideo . Truth is , Emblemes of this sort are held a kinde of representative Histories : and by so much more moving , in regard their features imply a more native and free expression , than if they were discovered onely by the penne without any other liniment .

With pieces of this quality , many eminent and illustrious personages have been infinitely taken : instances hereof are each-where to be found without seeking , and incomparably usefull in their applying . Prot●genes his Table , wherein Bacchus was painted , ( and with no lesse excellence was the Embleme contrived ) moved King Demetrius lying siedge at the City Rhodes , to use such intermissions and prejudiciall delayes in the pursuit of his designe , that where he might have consumed the City with fire , spared it for the preciousnesse and accurate workmanship of that Table : so as , staying to bide them battaile , he won not the City at all .

We shall see in the draught of ancient Histories , not onely the actions and events of warres set downe ; but likewise the Purprise of Forts , the Site of Cities ; the manner of their defeats , in Pictures and other impressive Sculptures ; which adde a great beauty and living resemblance to the History . This we may see in those time-surviving Commentaries of Caesar , and other Moderne Annals expressed , to which these digressive observations may be properly referred .

BUt to returne to our former argument : by the right use of History , we see vertue revived when her defender is dead : and to say the truth , I may use Thales sentence in this discourse : without History , Nil mortem a vitâ differre : Since the life of the dead depends upon the memory of the living : for without some memoriall of actions prosecuted , what difference betwixt the valiant acts of Ithacus , and the shamefull retirednesse of Aegystus ? betwixt Aeneas piety , and Pigmalions cruelty ? they are dead , and their poore Vrne can speake no more for them , The great mans mo●to . than Pompey's Sepulchre spake for him : Hic situs est magnus ! here he lyes that was once great : powerfull in popular command , generally succesfull , before this Pharsalian discomfite : hore he lyes that was stiled his Countries Patron , Romes best Centinell : yet failing in the close of his fortunes , drooping in the upshot of his victories : Time can erect no other monument in his remembrance : Vixi , & vici : onely once I lived , and was once Conquerour . It is recorded , that when Alexander came to the Tombe of Achylles , and beheld the Mirrour of Greece , shut up in so small a scantling of earth , ( a parcell of that wh● lo which could hardly containe him living ) he wept bitterly , adding : Haeccine sunt Trophaea ? Be these all the Monuments , all the Trophies this world could affoord thee ? Is greatnesse so soone extinguished , and the lampe of honour so soone put out ? A good motive for Alexander , to caution him of his mortality , and might make up this conclusion : Alexander thou art not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : not the sonne of Iupiter , but the sonne of earth .

The like wee read related by Quintus Curtius : that when this great Prince of Macedon came into Persia , an object of no lesse pitty , than example of humane frailty , represented it selfe unto him : to wit , the poore Sepulchre of that victorious Cyrus , on which he found no other Inscription than this : O man ! whosoever thou bee , or from what place soever thou shalt come ( for I know thou wilt come ) know , that I am Cyrus , who translated the Empire from the Medes to the Persians : pray thee doe not envy me for this little handfull of earth that doth cover me . This Epitaph could not choose but fixe an impression of remorse and commiseration ( as indeed it did ) in that great Conquerours heart : seeing whereto all his victories tended : So as Nero's affecting command and soveraignty was well answered by Seneca : Pulchrum est regnare , ( said Nero : ) Nihil est , si nihil quaeras , replyed Seneca : Certainly ( if I bee not blinded with the love of Historicall discourse ) there is no meanes better to deterre from vice , nor more effectuall inducements unto vertue , than these morall relations . By them wee see the lives of Princes , and their imployments ( Prima specie laeta ) in their first entrance or passage pleasant , and delightfull , promising no lesse than successe , and in successe , continuance : and afterwards ( Tractu dura ) more difficulties attending , as if the Wheele of Fortune wee removed to a place subjected to more occurrents ; yet not so dangerous , as to be attended by ruine : nor so secure , as to promise an undoubted issue . Eventu tristia ; a strange Catastrophe of so faire beginnings ! where , in the first , there was security grounded upon more than hope : in the second , hope , though not secure : in the third , neither hope nor security , but deprivall of both . Yet even in these conversions , if it please the Reader to cast his eye upon the admirable moderation of some Princes affections , he shall see verily a Christian resolution in a Pagan . True fortitude . Furius Camillus could not be daunted , ( though unjustly censured ) his exile neither made him dejected , nor his Dictator-ship prowd . Phocion , that honest Senator ( to satisfie an unsatiate appetite of revenge ) renders up his life willingly , and when he could not dye without paying for his death , so indifferent was life to him , as hee confirmed his resolution by this Epiphonema : Itaque nisi empta nece , mori mihi Athenis non licuit ?

☞ To recount the vertuous lives and resolute deaths of the Cannij , Senecae , Aruntij , Sorani , &c. men of admirable tempers in so corrupt a government : what excellent divine precepts they proposed : what indifferency not onely towards Fortune but Life it selfe they shewed ; how integriously they bare themselves in place of honour ; with what constancy they suffered themselves to be deprived of it ; would strike amazement in any understanding man . Especially , having had no other helps but the light of Nature to guide them ; nothing but an imaginary Conceit of fame to eternize them . Light veiles for so high designes .

In those blind times , when States and Empires grounded their successe on Oracles ; giving more credit to their doubtfull Delphian Resolves than any other praesage : with what preparednesse would their Generalls and Leaders grapple with the extreamest oppositions of death and danger ? No safety , nor hope of Victory either to State or Army , concludes the Oracle , if the Generall live : and rather than the State should suffer prejudice by his life , with open breast and cheerefull embrace he meetes death . Curtius leapes into the Lake ; Cocles into the Sea . This suffers exile , and rejoyceth in his misfortune ; that degraded , beares the same count'nance in his disgrace .

Againe , observe those constant amicable contracts of friendship one made with another : how no perill could divide their affections : no interposed Cloud darken those rayes of Amity mutually reflecting : Histories are stored with instances of this kind , which deserve our memory , with an admiration of their immutability . Two especiall examples , amongst many others , Stories afford us , which are here inserted by us ; briefly related , but to perpetuity memorised . The former is of Pelopidas that noble Grecian , who skirmishing with the Lacedemonians against the Arcadians , untill such time as being hurt in seven places , he fell downe at last for dead . Then presently Epaminondas ( a mirror of constant Amity , in an hazard of such extremity ) out of a princely resolution , stepping forth bestrid him , and fought to defend his body , he alone against many , till being sore cut on his arme with a Sword , and thrust into the breast with a Pike , he was even ready to give over . But at that very instant , Agesipolis , King of the Lacedemonians , came with the other point of the Battell , in an happy houre , Plutarch . in Pelopida . anitio . and saved both their lives , when they were past all hope .

Marcus Servilius , a valiant Roman , may supply the place of the latter ; who had fought three and twenty Combates of life and death in his owne person , and had alwayes slaine as many of his Enemies as chaleng'd him man to man ; when as the people of Rome , upon some private discontent , resisted Paulus Aemilius tryumph , stood up and made an Oration in his behalfe . In the midst whereof he cast open his gowne , and shewed before them the infinite skarres and cuts hee had received upon his breast . The sight whereof so prevailed with the people , Plut. in Paulo Aemilio . fine . that they all agree'd in one , and granted Aemilius Tryumph .

Should we observe likewise what intestine and inveterate hate one Nation bare to another ; where a new succession ever reteined that proposed revennge of their Ancestor , it would give us no little occasion of wonder : that small beginnings rising to greater heates , neither by continuance of time , which weares out greatest displeasures , nor mediation of interceeding States , could possibly be attoned . Variety of these , History will likewise afford us .

When Annibal was a Child , and at his Fathers commandment , hee was brought into the place , where he made sacrifice ; and laying his hand upon the Altar , sware that so soone as hee bore any sway in the Common-wealth , hee would be a professed enemy to the Romans . And that this grounded Nationall hate was not to be extinguish'd by death , may appeare by many eminent and pregnant Instances , not onely anciently but even of later times occurring .

Scipio appointed his Sepulchre to be so placed , as his Image standing upon it , might looke directly towards Affrica ; that being dead , he might still be a terror to the Carthaginians .

Zisca , that valiant Captaine of the Bohemians , who had borne himselfe so victoriously successive in many set Battells of incomparable consequence , commanded that after his decease his skin should be slay'd from his body to make a Drumme , which they should use in their battells , affirming that as soone as the Hungarians , or any other their enemies , should heare the sound of that Drumme , they would not abide , but take their flight . This was the reason that the body of Cadwallo , an ancient King of Britaines , ( to draw nearer our owne borders ) being embalmed and dressed with sweet confections , was put into a brazen Image , Hollinshea l. and set upon a brazen Horse over Ludgate for a terror to the Saxons .

These in a private Arbour , secluded from the cares or turmoyles of the world , to peruse , cannot but beget a delight and admiration in the Reader . While hee collects the rare temper of some , whose alteration of fortune could not so much as occasion one sigh , or produce a teare . The Reason might be this , they were not so much enamoured on what they enjoy'd , and consequently could forgoe whatsoever they enjoy'd with lesser griefe . Servile teares become slavish mindes : whereas a truely ennobled disposition scornes to be restrained by such gyves . This benefit of Nature they enjoyed , and in such freedome , as losse of fortunes could not amate them ; being seated on an higher Mount than the braves of so light a Soveraignesse could ascend to .

These rightly conceived , and usefully applyed that Philosophicall Axiome : As the Moone doth never eclypse , but when shee is at the full : so the Minde is never so much obscured , as it is with the superfluity of Riches . And againe , as the Moone is the furthest off from the Sunne , which giveth it light , when it is at the full ; so a Man , when hee is fullest of Riches , is furthest off from that Equity and Iustice which ought to give him light . Herein therefore ( to free them from a more dangerous shelfe ) they thought to imitate the Flie , which putteth not her feete into the great masse of Honey , but onely taketh or tasteth with her tongue so much thereof as serveth her turne and no more , lest by doing otherwise , shee might remaine taken and drowned therein . Bern. de Advent . Serm. 1. For true is that sentence in every worldlings experience Qui mundum amplectuntur similes sunt illis , qui submerguntur in aquis . This , through a constant moderation of their desires , moved Anacharses to refuse the Treasure sent him by Croesus : Anacreon the Treasure sent him by Policrates : And Albionus the Treasure sent him by Antigonus .

That Zeno prov'd himselfe a Philosopher indeed by his contempt of the World ; who hearing that all his estate was exposed to shipwracke , with a pleasing smile , and a composed temper , farre above the braves of fortune , concluded : Sen. de tranq. an . Fortune bids mee now the sooner play the Philosopher . And as their Spirits were elevated above the Orbe of Fortune ; so could they with no lesse noble resolution suffer the misery of Exile , ever closing with that divine Morall : Si sapiens est , non peregrinatur ; si stultus est , exulat . Sen. de remed. fort . Howsoever then the State , upon some immerited Ground might pronounce their Proscriptions against them : their Countrey was wisedome ; their true repose , a quiet , composed mind , ready to suffer in defence of honour , and to hold it a prerogative of honour so to suffer .

What should I speake of Publius Valerius Publicola , whose moderation in the ebbe of fortune , and surplusage of miseries , made him more admired , than hated ? The equall temper of Rutillius , the exceeding modesty of L. Quintius , the grave and serious respect of Fabius Maximus , the temperate deliberation of Marcellus , and the admirable government of Tiberius Gracchus ; the wise s●aidnesse of Metellus , and the discreet patience of Marcus Bibulus . We use to be more excited to goodnesse by Examples than Precepts ; and such instances in Histories are not a little perswasive , representing to our eyes the divers objects of Piety in Coriolanus , of Justice in Aristides , of Prudence in Cleobulus : and to be briefe , of all vertues so well practised by Pagans , as they may well deserve an imitation by Christians .

TO proceede now to the Discourse it selfe ; I allow of a copious phrase in History : For contrac●ion of sentences doth oft-times contract the sence , or at least makes the Subject lesse intelligible : Cornelius Tacitus seemed to affect an ●●tri●●te kind● of writing , yet his Argum●nt in i● selfe for copious might modestly Apologize his succ●nctnesse , approving Tullies opinion , where he propounds , what errours are most subject to Taxing in such Discourses : Vitiosum etiam est si nimium apparatis verbis compositum , aut nimium longum est : Taxing in the one Singularity , commending in the other Brevity : Yet he seemes to oppose himselfe in it by plaine contradiction , making relation of the same Discourse : Non parum fructus habet in se copia dicendi , What Stile best serv●● an History . & commoditas orationis : But these tend rather to Rhetoricall Narrations , than Historicall Descriptions . Tacitus is to be preferred before the most , being a dilated compendiary of many declined States , dis-united Provinces : shewing the vices of the time , where it was dangerous to be Vertuous , and where Innocence tasted the sharpest censure : what garbe best suited with the state of that time , describing the Orators Tongue - Facundam inimicitijs , more partiall than Time-observers . Where Amici Curiae , were Parasiti Curiae : The Courts friends , the Courts Popingayes . Here he shewes a great Man rising , and his fall as suddaine as his erection : the immeritorious , in election for greatest honours ; and the vertuous depressed , because they will not mount by sinister meanes . There a Prince that shewed great testimonies of his approved vertues , so long as he was subject , but raised to an unexpected height hee seconded this Conclusion : An ill Prince spoyled a good Subject : so was Galba : Omnium consensu capax Imperij , nisi imperaesset : O what singular fruits may be gathered out of that one History , to teach men in high estates how to moderate their Greatnesse ; and others of inferiour ranke , rather to live retired , than to purchase eminence in place by servile meanes ? But of all , Diversity of affections . the divers affections of Princes , either well or ill disposed , minister no little delight to the Judicious Reader : Here one so popularly affected , as he had the tricke to binde his Subjects to allegeance by a native insinuation ; such was Augustus , Antonius Pius , Septimus Severus ; one whereof seemed rather to affect popular satisfaction than his owne , subjecting ( as he himselfe professed ) his entirest thoughts to propagate his Countries glory : Antonius Clemency , was the chaine that united and combined ( in a knot inviolable ) the hearts of the Romans to him , publickly protesting : Hee had rather save one Citizen , than destroy a thousand enemies . But Severus was loved ( which seemes no lesse admirable ) for that which engenders , for most part , greatest occasion of offence , and that was Severity ; Being no lesse exact in punishing his friends than enemies . But to read over the life of Sylla , we shall see an opposition in his nature . None that ere did more good to his friends , or more harme to his enemies : Nay , even in Brothers ( derived from one Stemme ) discrepant natures ; Hinc Scissitanti , Quinam in ●●alatio ? per●epidè responsum fuit , Ne Musca qu dem . Titus , the love and darling of Man-kinde ; Domitian a professed foe to all Man-kinde ; the one banishing Parasites his Palace ; the other a persecutor of flies .

☞ Those different dispositions of Romulus and Remus , Numitor and Amulius , how from one and the same stemme , branches of various natures proceeded . Againe , to observe with what a Religious Ethicke care , many eminent Princes erected Temples for their Gods ; how serious they were in observing those Ceremonies , which were Nationally used by them . How superstitious they were in their Oscines and Auguries ; what constant performers of their words , were it either in private Contracts , or publick Conditions of Peace . Breach of promise held a great dishonor amongst the Antients . What a lasting brand , or surviving blemish was it to any Nation , that should be found guilty in this kind ? What a Theta it was to the Carthaginians , to be stamped with that inglorious Title of Foedifragi ? How devoted and affectionately ingaged , those honest-morall Pagans were to Loyalty ? Nothing more hatefull to them than Treachery . This caused Mithridates to take Manius Acilius , Memorable Examples in revenging of Disloyalty . one of the chiefest Embassadours of the Romans , and set him contemptuously upon an Asse , till he was come to Pergamo , where he put molten Gold in his mouth : reproving the Romans for taking gifts : or to betray the confidence of their Countrey for rewards .

The like is reported of Tarpeia , that disloyall Maid , who betraying the gates of the Capitol to the Enemy , onely upon promise , that they should throw her the Bracelets which they wore on their left arme , which they accordingly performed , but with other proper gages to recompence her disloyalty , throwing also their Targets , with which she was pressed to death .

Neither were they lesse strict in punishing such , who in private and Oeconomick affaires shewed themselves disloyall . This appeared in that nobly-disposed Enemy of Scaurus Domitius , who , when a certaine servant retaining to Domitius , came before the Judiciall Seate to accuse his Master , hee sent him home to his Master with the Tenure of his accusation . These ancient Sages and Heroick Spirits clos'd not altogether with that Maxime Of loving the Treason , but hating the Traytor : For they hated to stoope to such basenesse , as to perfect what they intended , or dispatch ought that they designed by such odious and indirect meanes . Nor was a loyall-noble spirit ever seene unrewarded : perchance , indeed , the iniquity of time might be such , as those who merited a gracious aspect from their Countrey , might sometimes fall into disgrace by undeserving Offices , suggesting to the State what so usefull an Agent never thought : but this proceeded not so much from the ingratitude as the easie credulity of the State , in inclining to such groundlesse suggestions .

This might be instanced in that unhappy Asdrubal , Deserving men punished by the suggestions of ill offices . who to prevent the fury and malice of the people , incensed against him by unjust Offices , fled to his Fathers Sepulchre , and dispatched himselfe with poison : nor found their fury here a period : for from that vast structure of mortality , they dragged out his Carcasse , and cutting off his Head , put it upon a Speares point , and bare it about the City . No end of popular hate . But this inhumanity must be imputed to that Democratick Government or headlesse Monster , where all things are usually acted by a blind precipitate will , without deliberation or advice . Whereas a knowing Prince , who measures the value of mens actions by the promptnesse or alacrity of those spirits with which they are done ; eyes both the quality of the person and action : Nor can any designe proceeding from a loyall spirit , who stands ready to ingage his state , fame , and all for the honour of his Prince or Countrey , loose his deserving Guerdon ; besides that high opinion or estimate of the Prince , whose Count'nance is his honour ; whose Smile the reward of his labour .

King Darius upon a time , by chance opening a great Pomegranate , and being demanded of what hee would wish to have , as many as there were graines in that Pomegranate ? answered in one word , of Zopyrusses . Plut. initio Apotheg . Regum . Now this Zopyrus was a right noble and valiant Knight , who , to reduce Babylon to the subjection of his Lord and Master , Just●● . lib. 1. in fine . and defeate the trayterous Assyrians , suffer'd his body to be rent and mangled : and being thus disfigured , fled straight-wayes to Babylon , where the Assyrians were intrenched : whom hee made beleeve that Darius had misused him in this sort , because he had spoken in their behalfe , counselling him to breake up his Siege , and remove his Army from assaulting their City : They hearing this Tale , and the rather induced to thinke it true , because they saw him so shamefully disfigured in his body , were perswaded to make him their chiefe Captaine . By which meanes he betrayed them all , and surrendred both them and their City into his Masters hands . Such an Adamantine tye to his Princes heart was a loyall Subject , who little car'd how hee were brought to the stake , so hee might advance the honour of the publick State .

What more delightfull Subject can be imagined , than to converse ( and that without perill ) of the dangerous events of Warre ? of the divers dispositions of Princes ; raisings and razings of Empires : Some shaken by the vitiousnesse of the people which inhabite them , Security the ruine of Soveraignty . being so long secure , till ruine impose a period to their security : Some by ( civill and intestine Factions ) making their dearest Countrey the sad Spectator of their Funeralls ; Civill Warres leave in a distracted State the deepest wounds . their entirest friends , their professed foes ; and the argument of love and amity , the ground of civill dissentions : The cause whereof ( for the most part ) proceeds from a continued peace ; for retirednesse from forraigne affaires , make us bent to prosecute Managements domestick ; and the over-flow of successe ( purchased by peace ) makes men more capable of injuries , even to their best friends . This was the reason moved Athens to erect places of Martiall Exercises , ( even in peace ) that so the Youths being dayly inured to such Exercises , might imploy their strengths in them , and not in civill Commotions . This wee have by relation of Histories ; which so manageth affaires of State , as I am of that Sages opinion , How studious the Romans were of Histories . who averred : That no man could be an experienc't Statist , that was not initiated in the reading of Histories ; which hee confirmes with reasons no lesse Authentick , calling them the aptest and exquisitest directions that can attend man , either in publick or private affaires , at home or abroad . Divers therefore of our famous Senators in Rome , have employed their times in these Studies ; as Salust , whose wel-couch'd Style , succinct Sentences , and purenesse of Writing , may arrogate , it not the chiefest place ; yet to be inserted amongst the chiefest : Varro one of reputed esteeme , and of ample possessions , tooke in hand the like taske , to illustrate his Native Tongue , not onely with apt and accommodate phrases , but likewise to compile the memorable acts of the Romans , and to reduce them into an exact order ; to excite his Countrymen , by perusing the valiant attempts of their Ancestors : Eorum gloriâ inflammari ad eandem virtutis exercitationem suscipiendam : To be inflamed and provoked , by their renowne and glory atchieved , to imitate them in the like . And there is nothing certainly that leaveth more deepe impression in a resolved minde , than the report of former exploits ; Hearing this man by his industry and vigilant respect , to contemne all difficulties , oppose himselfe to all dangers , whereby hee might performe something worthy memory : Another ( sustaining Herculean Labours ) to purchase himselfe but a little glory . This man subjected to Sea-wracks , exposed to the mercy of the Winds , environed and hemmed in by imminent dangers ; yet moderating his passions , armes himselfe against the perils of Sea , adverse Windes , the menaces of ruine , with resolution to endure the worst of Fates , ever meditating of that motive to patience : Noscere hoc primum decet , Quid facere Victor debet , Victus pati .

☞ It was the answer of an unamated Captive , who slighting the insulting braves of him who tooke him : Thou hold'st thy conquest great in over-comming me ; but mine is farre greater in over-comming my selfe . Here was a conquest indeed , and such as deserve trophies of glory , to crowne him with perpetuity .

The Scythes used to erect Obelisks or Square-stones upon the hearse of the deceased , answering in number so many as he had slaine of his enemies : Whereas , he that had not slaine an enemy , was not onely deprived of those Monuments of glory , but not so much as admitted to drinke of that goblet ( spiced with his Ancestors Ashes ) and used for an Health cuppe in solemne Feasts and banquets . O what memorable Signals of true fortitude deserves that undaunted Spirit , who can triumph in his owne discomfit : and fortifie himselfe with a prepared mind against all oppositions !

The Vnicornes Horne being dipt in water , is said to cleare and purifie it . This will patience do in all those troubled Waters which inclose a composed minde . The excellency a composed minde . These finde no griefe of so extensive a quality , which either time will not allay , or Death end . Though they be led in triumph , and exposed to all the miseries which a domineering Foe can put upon them ; they can slight the braves and contemptible slavery of a proud Conquerour , and with a cheerefull smile entertaine the mutability of Fortune . Such as these , are S●veraignes in Captivity ; and merit most applause in their imbracing of adversity . Besides this , they reflect with a discreete eye , upon what they formerly read : now their confinement affords them leasure to peruse what they have observ'd in the circuit of their time : and now in their new change or ebbe of fortune they finde no new thing happened . Those , whose Victories were numerous ; Soveraignty boundlesse ; could not so cut the wings of Victoria , as to make her their permanent Guest . They heare Antiochus at one time saluted both 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a glorious Prince , and a furious Tyrant . They heare Pompey combred with honour , exclaime to see Sylla's cruelty ; and being ignorant after what sort to behave himselfe in the dignity he had then attained , they heare him cry out : O perill and danger never like to have end !

They see a Philotas aspiring , and falling ; a Perennius conspiring , and perishing . They note Dionysius that Syracusan Tyrant to be so suspicious of his fall , so jealous of his Fate , as hee will not trust any Barber to shave him , but injoynes his owne daughters to learne that Trade , purposely to bee imployed about him . They heare the very same Dionysius asking the Wise men of his Court , which Copper they held the best ; and they heare Antiphons ready answer to his question , that in his opinion , that was the most excellent , whereof Armodius and Aristogiton made the Picture of Pisistratus . Holding that Mettall the best , which kept a Tyrant at rest . These heare the Lydian King exclaiming against himselfe , and disclaiming of his owne Opinion , that felicity should possibly retaine any subsistence from mortality .

These have found the best and principall'st bl●ssing confirmed by the authority of Herodotus in Cleobulus and Biton , Trophonius and Agamedes , and that pithy conclusion of Silenus , who being taken prisoner by King Midas , paid this ransome ; teaching the King , The best thing that might chance any man , was never to be borne , Tusc. Quaest. lib. 1. the next to dye as soone as might be .

A rich ransome , surely ! had that worldly deluded King made right use of it ; for so had hee prevented misery before it fell upon him : and made that an occasion of his happinesse , which unthought of , brought him to a more sensible conceite of his owne ruine . Those whom the Gods doe love ( saith Menander ) dye young : yea , those they esteeme of most , whom they take from hence the first .

To present these more impressive Motives of Worldly contempt , dis-esteeme of Life , Honour , or whatsoever this Sabble Thea●re of humane vanity could afford , sundry Imperiall Princes endowed with spirits no lesse imperious , have contrived many Emblemes , with other Remembrances , purposely , no doubt , to avert their affections from so much idolatrising Earthly Majesty . Amongst which , you shall finde in these rich Treasures of Time , Historicall Records , an Agathocles , though a Tyrant , Emblematizing his owne fraile and mutable condition in the invention of his owne Statue : A princely Embleme of Mortality . commanding the Head to be made of pure Gold , implying his Regall Dignity ; the Armes of Ivory , signifying how Iustice from Execution receives her beauty ; the other liniments of Brasse , inferring their s●●●nuity ; but the Feet of Earth , displaying their frailty .

An excellent Memoriall , and well deserving to be ingraven in purest and perpetuall'st Mettalls . This Simonides sung to Pausanias ; this a Page every Morning to Philip of Macedon : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Respice post te , hominem memento te . Cineas , that excellent Orator , and solid Philosoper , disswading Pyrrhus from his expedition against the Romans , demanded of him , what he would doe , when he had conquered them ? To whom the King answer'd ; I wil over-run all Italy , Greece , & Barbary ; and what shall we doe next ▪ I will forrage Cicilia . And what remains to be done then ? O then , saith the covetous Prince , we will live at ease , Eate , drinke , and be ioviall together every day . And why , ( said Cineas ) may we not eate , drink , and be merry with lesse , enjoy what we have with comfort ; and eschue those inevitable labours and perills , whereto our ambition and insatiable desire of honour ingage us ?

But this was too hard a question ; Ambition can admit of no Reason . He onely h 'as absolute power to confine his desires , who seeth nothing without him , which he conceives worthy of him . Such an one h'as measur'd Mans life , and hee findes it to be a span ; A narrow spanne . which hee shall neither fall short of , nor exceed , no not one title or point of it , not the breadth of the smallest haire , or Atome ; no , not the rare-spun Gothsimere ; the subtilest linke of the Spider ; or any other extenuated or imaginary thinnesse whatsoever . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Pindar . He calls Death and Sleepe two Sisters ; and Night the Mother of them both . Hee holds the Locust or the Grashopper ( though Creatures of emptinesse and feare ) no greater slaves of the winde than Man : yea , to set him out in his colours , and discover to the world , that his vanity ranks him with the lightest of Gods Creatures : Hee findes him tossed to and fro as the Grashopper , and driven away as the Locust . Hee observes , how the Sunne , when it is in the Meridian , and the beams of it perpendicular to our bodies , shadows change not suddenly : but when it begins to decline to the fall , every moment , almost , they vary . And such hee concludes , is Man ; who , though in his strength and maturity of Nature , he find no such changes or alterations in the state of his body , as may seeme to menace to his declining house an approaching ruine : yet , that curious and delicious structure , that earthly contexture of man , when it shall begin once to decay , and loose his former strength , every day brings forth a change . One infirmity or other hourely invades him ; and at last , so weakens his poore splitted vessell , as no truce will be admitted , no respit granted , hee must of necessity returne to those first materialls , from whence hee first proceeded .

Wee see the Crowne of Honour set with great solemnity upon the head , but wee feele not the weight of it ; which makes him sweat and shake hands with Rest that weares it . Wee behold the golden Pantofle , but feele not how grievously it pincheth the foote . We eye and admire the reflecting beauty of a massie-guilt Target , or imbossed Armour , but partake not of his burden , who is the wearer .

The greatest Worldling ever carries the heaviest weight ; the ambitious-aspiring minde ever harbours the most care : the enjoyer of Honour , the most feare . The scourge of Envy from below , and Ambition from above , doe hunt Honour to death . He enjoyes sufficiently , that h 'as learn'd to be a Soveraigne over his owne passions : and to restraine the surging billows of an over-flowing will , to the command of Reason . No Principality like this : for it brings man to an higher Imperiall State , than all the deluding promises of this spongie world can possibly afford him .

These Observations are Receipts , or Cordials against the maladies of Fortune : A man thus resolved , cannot be lesse than a Prince ; for hee governes a Dominion more domineering , an Empire more imperious , A Diarchy , or Monarchy rather : having disconsorting affections ; overlaying Siege and Battery to the Palace of the Soule , which moved Plutarch in his Morals definitively to conclude : That he who moderated his affections , was halfe vertuous ; but hee that never past the bounds and limits of temperate motives , nor felt the deluding enforcements of vanity assaulting him , was wholly vertuous . But the Morals proposition was better than his conclusion : For no mortall ( since the staine of his Originall Purity ) could ever subsist so secure , or remaine so unmoveable , as never to be engaged to perturbations , the naturall attendants of Mortality .

IN this first entrance to my discourse , having spoken some-thing in generall , of the use and fruit of History : having by an ( equall Diameter ) determined the proper place and Centre at which such Historicall Relations ought to tend : Division of Histories ; Divine , Discursive , Morall , Physicke , or mixt . I will descend to the division of Histories , which may properly branch themselves into Divine , Discursive , Morall , Physick , or Mixt.

FOr Divine , I will not comprehend them in my Discourse , being such as depend on their owne Arches , drained from the pure Spring of Coelestiall Wisedome , and therefore impossible to erre either in Action or Relation : yet necessarily ( now and then ) immixed with Morall Histories , because their weight may better p●ise in the Scale of every Judicious Reader , when he seeth Morall Discourse so well fortified , as by the Pillar of Truth . Albeit I approve of Hesiods words : In Noct & Die Fabulous Relations should not , nor ought they to be authorized by Holy Writings : Such as corrupt the Text , and racke the Sacred Sense with their enforced Allegories . It was a Pagans observation , and worthy ours : So should our prophane Pamphleters , restraine their libidinous writings more , and either write that which should propagate themselves a generall reputation , without derogation to the sacred Writings of the Almighty , or silence their works ; Not to mixe Sacred with prophane . Vid. Lypsium in praescript . in lib. de const. lest they should deprave many , for a private reward , or pedling gaine . More I insist upon this , because too many have I knowne steeped in this promiscuous Subject , well read in Scripture , to wrest them , otherwise Babes and Sucklings ; for they could not reach to the depth of such Mysteries , but onely touch them to corrupt them . But their Cimmerian Cloud , Corrupters of Scripture . when it shall be dispersed , and the Raies of a reasonable understanding to them exhibited : They will repent them , I feare it not , ( and heavens grant that repentance be not like the after raine , out of season ) of their prophaner mixtures . O let them turne their eye of consideration ( whosoever they be ) to the miserable end of Lucian , Cleander , Metrodorus , whose disastrous falls answered their blasphemous risings ; contemning the Sacred Writ of Heaven , and prostituting their labours to the merited censure of confusion : But too much of them . Times are not so easie to be wained from their habit of errour , or induced to a course of more Sanctimony : Lampes and Oyly Studies were made fruitlesse at Epictetus death ; his Lanthorne hung up ( as a monument of his vertues ) made a deeper impression in his Schollers , than all our Motives , Precepts , or Examples can doe in ours : that Age was more apprehensive of Good , this of Ill.

NOw to our Discursive Histories . Discursive Histories . Many discourse without matter , onely descanting upon idle Theames : more observed for their idlenesse , than for any subject whereon they entreate : Such be foolish Phantasticks that spend their Oyle upon unnecessary Subjects . I have apprehended many of this vaine , but they shall be namelesse , talking of strange Horse-races , such as their barren Muse never conceived : others of Fabulous Histories , never found out by that Arch-Artist Nature , whence they derived their foundation ; for such , I passe untouched , being such as they hardly conceive their owne writings .

Discursive Histories are either true or feigned : If true , Division of Discursive Histories . they comprehend in them a certaine ground , not onely fortified by a reasonable production , but also by the authority of such , whose Authentiqu'st Labours claime to themselves , a kinde of Authority without further proofe : Such wee read to be the Labours of Cornelius Tacitus , Titus Livius , Trogus Pompeius , and many others , whose Subjects confirme their authority : being such as represent the divers events of things done , by Historicall Relation , and Ocular Presentation . For divers of those worthy Historiographers have beene interrested even in such probable , and generally-allowed discourses by personall presence , Faithfull Historians . in the management of such affaires : as Commines , of all Histories ( amongst our Moderne ) most approveable , being an eye-witnesse of what he writ .

And herein me thinkes , ☜ I should take occasion , to recommend an imploymnet no lesse delightfull than consequently usefull to such of our Gentry as are adidcted to Travaile , or Martiall Discipline ; An imployment of especiall consequence recommended to our Gentry . to have ever with them a Diary or Ephemerides of whatsoever they have at any time seene presented worthy memory , or acted in the time of their service or agency there . I should hold it convenient likewise for them to become their owne Amanuenses : by compiling and methodically disposing such memorable Observances , as occurre either at home or abroad . Labor tenuis est , tenuis non gloria . This course will recompence their few houres labour , to their great improvement ; and in arguments of Discourse minister no small delight to an understanding Hearer . For admit the memory were never so retentive ; yea , that it might vye with that of Cyrus , who could call every Souldier in his Army by name ; yet to make it a Store-house or Repository of whatsoever we have seene or heard , would argue too much confidence in such a fraile-decaying ornament : for of all faculties in man , Memory is the weakest , first waxeth old , and decaies sooner than strength or beauty . Prima sumus obliti , postrema non intelleximus , quia prima non meminimus . An excellent Moral Caveat , and well-deserving our learning in these times .

I could instance divers noble Personages even in this Kingdome , who have risen to an extraordinary pitch of Wisedome , Knowledge , and Elegancy of Discourse by this meanes . These in their forraigne interesses , would admit no day without a line . Privately they recorded whatsoever they had seene publickly atchieved . They sifted the dispositions of men ; and reduced the benefit hereof , by complying with them , unto themselves . These Notions fit and enable them for State affaires ; and in imployments of Embassie . An office of especiall improvement to the State , being discreetly and wisely managed : For the Person so imployed , presents in his owne , the very Face or Image of the Common-weale . For the better discharge whereof , that he may come off faire , and returne his Prince a gratefull account of what he ha's done , it is necessary for him to reteine ever in memory those Speeches of a grave and judicious Statesman , by way of direction in his moderation of Speech .

He that knoweth how to speake well , knoweth also where he must hold his peace . Wisely concluding : Thinke an houre before you speake , and a day before you promise .

Many , and peculiar be ●hose prerogatives granted him ; which , as they are exercised by him to the honour of the State from whence he came , so is he to neglect no opportunity for dispatch of those affaires for which he came . To reteine a seemely-modest State without affectation , will infinitely become him , for that suits worst with his person of all others . He is privileg'd from suffering abuse or dishonour ; in the same line of relation is he to beare himselfe towards another . For in this is the Law of Nations exhibited , that he neither harme , nor receive harme from others . Albeit , hee may still enjoy the benefit of this priviledge , till such time as hee recede from his place or Office ; that hee may use in his owne family the Sword of Justice to any such as shall utter words of disgrace against the Prince , or shall defile any mans Wife : neither is the Legat himselfe exempted from like punishment , being found in any of these a personall delinquent . For howsoever that Maxime of State be , That none is to handle the Sword , but he who holds the Sceptre ; yet a Deputative power hath beene ever granted , which rather improves than detracts from his Majesty by whom it is granted . Now , to insist a little more upon their Dignity ; they are neither properly sent by Subjects , nor to Subjects . Their Commission is from the Prince or State directed , not by any lower Power addressed : where , though the Common-weale seeme absent , yet is the Common-weales cause argued in presence . And that a more absolute power or Soveraignty may appeare in him by whom these Agents are sent , than in the persons herein interessed and sent , to speake in one word what duely and properly concernes them ; They are upon Returne home , to render an accompt of their whole passage : wherin should they complaine , that the Prince or State to whom they were sent , had rejected , abused , or any way injured them , by the Iulian Law , A Law of the Digests . such an one was accused to have done contrary to the Law of Armes .

These , by helpe of History , finde likewise what resolution is required in one so interessed ; and in what manner he is to behave himselfe upon affronts done either upon himselfe , or to him whom he doth personate . Amongst many other Instances , he conceives no spirit more appropriate to one in that place , than of that Ambassador of Athens , who answered King Philip of Macedon , threatning that hee would cause his Head to be cut off : If thou takest this Head from me , Státuam pro Capite , pro Morte Immortalitatem . my Countrey will give me another that shall be immortall : for my Head , a Statue ; for Death , Immortality .

Memorable Examples of this kind are every where to be found , in this unvaluable Store-house or Treasury of Time , History .

But in ample tearmes to explaine what the condition of an Historian is , let me in briefe , yet materiall words , expresse what hee meanes : Not such as inveigh against States , Satyricall Historian , and the Sycophant Historian . or politicke Governments , for such are rather Satyrists , than Historians ; nor such as personate the entire acts of a Martialist , by assentative tearmes ; which are such as insinuate themselves by a glosing Style to winne the affection of their Patron . Lesse to be borne with be these , than the other , subjecting the free use of History to a Parasite and oylie tongue : which moved Alexander so exceedingly against Aristobulus , as that on a time hearing his owne Acts deblazoned farre above truth , he commanded his Labours should be throwne over Boord : saying , He was almost induced to throw Aristobulus after : A caveat very necessary for all clawing Parasites that make their Pen Mercenary , and therefore , as may be inferred upon their workes , dare not unrip the vitiousnesse of times ; lest by unbosoming Truth , they should incurre the offence of some person , to whom their labours are ingaged , their fortunes subjected , and their endeavours partially devoted .

Plato banished all Poets Athens : but a favourable Glosse would restraine that Ostracisme onely to peculiar wits , ( petulant I meane ) such as the Prince of Sparta proscribed his well-governed City , H ero & Leëna . for presenting some obsceene Verses to his Queene . But I wonder why Plato excluded not these Historians , since their Labours were prostitute ( like the publick Strumpet ) for gaine , making their Writings to the opinion and imitation of that Scarabee of History , who being demanded why he wrote not truth of such a Prince ; replyed : Vivit , quis vera dicet ? His life kept him in awe , he durst not expresse his vices to the quicke , lest he should bite too much .

This that experienc'd , ☜ Sr. W. R. but unfortunate Knight well observed , as may appeare by his owne words : Whosoever in writing a Moderne History , shall follow Truth too neare the heeles , it may happily strike out his teeth .

Wherein I commend the incomparable Theano , who is so cautious in his Historicall Notions of what he writes , as hee will commit nothing to publick , which hath not beene first confirm'd both by strong Intelligence and Subsignation under the hands of the eminent'st persons there residing , where any such action past . Nor is he spare in the relation of what he heares ; so it import the Subject whereof hee writes : Though Princes should sollicit him by rewards , hope of higher preferment ; he cannot endure to have his Pen sold , nor to comply with the humour or current of Time for any unworthy ayme .

It was the excellent saying of an impartiall Historian , who being demanded by One who had reduced his Empire to a meere Tyranny ; why he remembred not him in his Writings ? Because ( quoth he ) I read nothing in you worth remembring . Why doest thou not then ( replyed he ) record my Vices ? Lest others ( said he ) should erre by your Example , and so imitate them . It is the highest honour of an Historian , to be accounted sincere . As hope of Honour should not transport him , hope of Reward corrupt him , nor ayme to any outward comply divert him from speaking Truth : so should no commanding power over-aw him , to betray his knowledge , or to sow pillows to the Elbowes of Greatnesse . This endangers his Credit for ever , and throws a contempt on his Labour .

Many there are , who describe things rather as they should be done , than as they were done . This is not to make a discovery of truth , but to propose a forme or Method of what should bee done according to truth . The lives of Princes , and their actions were ever held Modells of imitation for Inferiours . Their very behaviour , A rule how to rectifie imitation of Errors ; by Historicall directions . were it in some gesture never so uncomely , h 'as ever begot Followers in persons of meaner quality . To rectifie these , nothing more powerfull , than to produce more cleare and imitable Examples ; that in them , as in living Mirrors , they might discover their owne Errors .

It was the saying of Antisthenes , that those that would live free from vice , had need either of most unfeigned friends , or of most bitter enemies ; because , the one by his admonition , or the other by his reproach might withdraw him from vice . Whence Diogenes being asked , how one should be revenged of his enemy ? answered , by being a vertuous and honest man ; for his integrity would beget him such a common conceit of extraordinary vertue , as hee who maligned him , would hardly endure to frequent any place , where he feared to heare his Enemies praise .

Nasica , when the Roman Common-weale was supposed to be in most secure estate , because freed of their enemies , affirmed , that though the Achaians and Carthaginians were both brought under the yoak of bondage , yet they were in most danger , because none were left whom they might either feare for danger , States , when seeming most secure from their enemies , ought to be least secure in their owne confidence ! or who should keepe them in awe . This caused Oenomademus in a Faction in the Isle of Chios to counsell his fellows , that they should not expulse all their Enemies , but still leave some in the City ; Lest ( quoth he ) being freed of all our Enemies , we should begin to quarell with our friends .

Most certaine it is , that very few in all our preceding Ages , unlesse they were such Philosophicall Kings , as Plato wish'd them to bee , could in the height of their fortunes , endure reproofe ; especially in such publicke manner , as to be recorded by an Historicall penne . For one Alexander , who could not endure Aristobulus praising him above truth , wee might produce tenne Alcibiades , who could not abide Eupolus for taxing him according to truth . But to deliver our Opinion freely of discourses in this kind : Actions are so to be laid open , as the Agent may either receive honour , or suffer in them . For if in our private Accompts , wee will be cautious enough , lest any thing be omitted or inserted more than should be : much more in these Accompts or Registers of Time . They then , that interesse themselves in Labours of this nature , are not in their Compilations , to eye any mans person : August . Epist. 9. ad Hieron . More incomparably-beautifull is the Truth of Christians , than that imparalel'd Helen of the Grecians . Those that write lesse than the state of their History requires , may be properly called the Moaths of Epitomes , as Epitomes of Histories . Those that write more , make their fictitious Comments , rather Glosses than Glasses of Time : containing in them an Ocean of words , but a drop of Truth . Nor are precious Houres to be so mis-spended , their Oyle so wasted , when every Line shoud survive the vading period of Life , and reserve to posterity a continuate Storie of their Predecessors Actions .

Mans life may be most properly compared to a Lampe : for as a Lampe may be three wayes extinguished ; First , by outward violence , as when it is blowne out : Secondly , by pouring in much water , whereby the good liquor of the Oyle is drowned and corrupted : and thirdly , by the wast and spending of the Oyle it selfe : So likewise a Mans life ( which in truth resembles much the nature of a Lampe ) is extinguished by three wayes and meanes ; to second her resemblance both in the appearing and extinguishing ; first , by externall force , to wit , of the Sword , fire , strangling , pressing , poysoning , and the like : Secondly , through the aboundance of ill humours , or the malignant quality of them , whereby the Radicall humour is opprest and overthrowne : Thirdly , when the Radicall humour is in long space of Time quite consumed by the Naturall heate , and blowne out into the Ayre ; Lessius in Hygiafticon . which is done after the same manner , that boyling water or Oyle is wasted by the heate of the fire .

Now , as Radicalis humor is in Corpore , An apt resemblance of the humours in the body , to the qualities of the minde . so is Veritatis amor in Corde : Which divine vigour , when it is corrupted or impaired by any vitious or malignant humour , it looseth her light . Now , what is this humour which so darkens this divine vigour or truth of an Historian ; but partiality ? which streames either from the weake and shallow Channels of Pusillanimity ; or the muddy Inlet of base commodity . For the former sort , their Spirits are too weake for such a Taske : for such as will suppresse Truth , or obscure the light of their History , by suffering themselves to be over-awed by Authority , are fitter to be imploy'd in discoursing of the Pigmeis warres , or of the battell of the Frogs and Mice , than any eminent action . For the latter , their dispositions are so unworthy , as they are never to be admitted within the List of an History : for these preferre trash before truth , and so far under-value that usefull imployment whereto they stand ingaged , as they lose themselves by deriving gaine from that , which should be from all servile fetters freed . Let the first consider , how unfit they are to converse with Princes precedent , which in their readings they daily doe ; who are so over-awed by the Count'nance of times present , as overcome with feare , they silence that which should have bin the activest Scene in all their Subject . This many times makes a lame discourse : when to supply actions of higher consequence , they impe in needlesse trifles : such as neither require an Historians labour , nor recompence the lost time of the Reader . THAT conceited Treatise composed by an Italian , entit'led A Supplication to Candle-light ; discovering the abuses committed & curtained by the silent & secret shade of night , deserv'd high approvement in comparison of these . Hee lighted his Lamp purposely to discover vice ; these put out their lights , lest they should suffer for their discovery of vice . O! that these would but apply that divine sentence somtimes uttered with no lesse courage than comfort by a devout father : In such a cause , wherein my desire is to please God , Ambros . in Indict . I little feare the power of man . So they in a busines of such consequence as imports the benefit of State , the advancement of truth , are not to be pusillanimous , but discreetly resolute ; that neither too much boldnes may deservingly taxe them of indiscretion : nor remisnesse , of too much want of spirit nor irresolution . Let the latter , likewise , privately converse with his owne thoughts : and weigh with himselfe , what a base or sordid gaine it is , to purchase to himselfe honour or preferment by untruths . A Lye is held a word of dishonour , onely spoke by the mouth : what a deepe taint or impression wil it reteine , standing on record ? Now to prevent the meanes of publishing Subjects of this kind , for profit sake , as many of our unauthorized Novells have of late times beene published ; Ample pensions allowed in former times to Historians . those fore-running ages allowed ample Pensions for their Authors ; such as might in a good measure , without a necessitated beholdingnes to any , maintaine them : lest want of means might corrupt their pen , by making that mercenary , which stood ever priviledg'd , and retein'd in it selfe a native liberty . For should privat rewards soile the purity of an History , what might become free ? The Acts of his Benefactor , were they never so obscure or ignoble , should receive a gracefull immerited expression : Meane time , the Actions of whomsoever he maligned , were sure to have their brand , were they never so deservingly approved or eminent .

This is no square dealing ; and in all times much hated ; yea , and highly censured , as may appeare by sundry Ancient-Historicall Records , which for brevity sake I here omit , referring them to the Roman Annals , where they may be stored with variety of Instances in this kind .

Now , as Plato in his Dialogue entitled Symposium by way of Fiction describeth the difference betwixt two kinds of Venus : whereof , the first was more ancient , brought forth by the Heavens , whom vertuous men doe follow : the second much younger , begotten betweene Iupiter and Dione , whom wicked men doe serve : So say I of these , whom wicked men doe serve , or rather serve wicked men , by complying with their humours , either for feare of censure , or ambitious hope of honour ; let them withdraw , they are not to be enter'd here in Checkroule : while with a free and affectionate embrace , these onely are to be entertained , who scorne to humour time , either for hope of immerited honour , or servile profit .

Indeed , I must acknowledge there should be a reverend and modest concealing of such Personages in criminall causes , so the bounds of the History can admit it . And sometimes a Native pusillanimity restraines us to speake that which wee know , A modest caution for all Historians . because silence ( as the wise Sage said ) never occasioned so great offence as Speech . And Veritas odium parit , Quam-plures vidi incidisse peccatum loquendo , vix autem quenquä tacerdo . Ambros . in lib. de Offic. is a Motto for these dayes too probable , too well authorised ; where sinnes goe with impunity , adorning their growth with a faire out-side , to second that Tyrant of Syracusas proposition : Et quis corriget ? quis audet prodere , si crimen audiat ? Sure such tyrannizing Subjects , or Objects rather of feare , must needs be terrible to the poore Historian : He cannot shew Iulus Canius spirit , spit in the face of Tyranny : Hating by a modest silence to pamper Vice , though reprehension cost him a gage , hee could redeeme with nothing save life : Such was that Cordus ( the Roman Historian ) who for speaking truth was censured unworthily .

But if Princes or Potentates should exactly observe the courses and revolutions of times , The Commendation of a sincere Historian . the subsequent degrees of ruine and deposition ( vices Apologized ) they would commend such an Historian ( and no lesse desertfully ) who employeth his Time , wasteth his Oyle , and macerates himselfe in the scrutinie of true Relations , by conferring Histories together ; and with a Judicious approbation , or electing power , extract whatsoever may seeme most probable and authentick .

Many worthy Statists have desired , and in themselves no lesse deserved ( though perhaps some little sparke of vaine-glory may seeme to appeare in them ) to have their memorable Acts recorded : as Cicero his withstanding Cateline , Cato his opposing Caesar , Solon his Pisistratus , and Demosthenes his Philip : their acts recounted , and committed to memory , induce others to the like attempts : and like a coole Arbour to a wearied passenger , yeelds no lesse delight to themselves ; which Persius seemes covertly to shadow in his first Satyre : Et pulchrum est digito monstrari & dicier hic est . This finger is History , which truely demonstrates the life of the person , characters his vertues , or vices ; disposing every particular member and branch of his discourse in such exact method , that it resembles a faire beautifull building , which yet deserves more commendations for the contrivement , than the outward and garish Garnishment . Aedes opera sunt , quae si cultè extruantur , minus restat , si minus sumptuosè . True ; Bookes Historicall have no better beauty ( nor indeed can they ) than an apt and methodicall disposition : other accomplements are superfluous , resembling some of our workes now and then published , with faire and beautifull Frontispieces , as if some worthy conveyances ( rare buildings of Art and Nature ) were within so comely portalls . But alas ! looke inward , nought but rubbish and refuse of some old building , unhandsomely repaired ; or some frothy invention , not worth halfe so much cost : These should feare ( as the Philosopher told the Mindians ) lest their whole Labours should flye out at their gate , Fruitlesse labours . having their gate so promising , their Labour so immeriting . But such as goe ad praelum tanquam ad praelium ( for so indeed they doe ) furnish themselves aforehand with exactest Labours , to stand in defiance against the spirit of detraction : for we cannot fortifie our workes against all Assailants : some being addicted to carpe , because long custome hath confirmed in them a desire of reprehension .

Aelianus in his Naturall History reports , how the Vipers issue is the bane and death of the Parent : Certainly as Libri are our Liberi , our children , which wee should be as carefull and provident in bringing up , as the Father over his child : so oftentimes they play the Vipers with us , they murder us in our name and reputation , much disparraging their Parents , being prizelesse , and therefore unfit for presse : nay , they doe more , they oftentimes asperse an imputation upon Her that should be no lesse deare ( if not more ) unto us , than our selves , our Countrey : Licentious LIbells . making her flowery bosome a nourisher of fruitlesse labours , a stale to licentious Libells , or Brothell rather of lascivious measures . And how shall we make answer for so many motives to lust , so divers inforcements to inordinate affections , and so temporizing subjects in humouring great ones , and soothing Vice in her Majesty ? Debemur morti nos nostraque : where our workes must abide scanning , and that by a Judicious censurer ; one that can unrip the secretest of imagination , and knows the Bent of our purposes .

It was an excellent saying of Judicious Casmerus : Parum est legere aut colligere , sed intelligere , ☞ & in formam redigere ; hoc artis , hoc laboris est . Would Authors make use of this , they would not in so impolish'd nor uncompos'd a forme send forth their Cubbs before they be lick't : nor set their fruitlesse braines a worke in publishing such uselesse Labours , as have no proper Object whereto they may seeme to ayme , but an itching desire of being in Print : to have a Name amongst Authors ; albeit , many times that Name redound to their dishonour . These may be compared to those uncleane beasts , who never chew their Cud. It is a Divine Position : He that goes to meditate , before he be prepared , that man takes in hand to build an house before stones be gath'red . What shall we judge of him , A calamo magis quàm cerebro , scrinio quàm genio istae eliciendae sunt telae , ib. who without study or premeditation sets hand to paper : as if Works of that nature were onely Manuall , and no braine-labour ? How miserably are their judgments darkned , or rather how pittifully are such deluded , who hope to receive life , or reteine esteeme from such Spider-caules ? Wherein our pregnant'st and refinedst Wits are many times most conscious .

Wee observe , how some of our Women are so taken with their streight and well-shap't bodies , as they would not for a world have Children , lest they should spoyle their feature : nor will these Mushrome wits , who are ever teeming , never suffering , betake themselves to any paines , lest that burdenous labour might detract from the beauty of Nature . These hold Study an unnecessary accoutrement for good wits : present and pregnant must be their Fancy , out of some Poëticall rapture or fury : wherein by that individuall spirit of Sacke , they stretch and straine their enforced Genius to such high lines , as if Prometheus-like , they had stolne Fire from Heaven , drunk Hippocrene dry , or broke open the Muses Cabbinet , and soakt those poore Girles of all their influence . Where , some in perusall of these Ebrious Lines , will usually be so farre transported with them , or more properly , besotted by them ; as they will vow , nothing could be compos'd by any Wit , were it never so fluent , upon a fasting or abstemious stomack , like those Conceipts . Nay , that no praemeditation could mend them : being so enlivened and full of Spirit , as they were farre more easily admired than imitated .

This I must confesse , is a great happinesse of Wit ; but it confirmes withall that Maxim of the wise Stagyrian ; There was never any great wit without some mixture of folly : which may appeare by their disesteeme of study or praemeditation , as if it were a rubbe or Remora to invention .

It was Eucherius saying ; Nihil est magnum re , quod breve tempore : But these spritely Wits are of another Opinion . They hold no worke nor composure worth approvement : which , like an unnaturall Birth , appeares not in his full shape upon the instant : And of those , none deserving more admiration than their owne . It was the saying of a famous Orator : I never knew any Poët ( yet was I well acquainted with Aquinius , and many others ) who did not thinke his owne doings better than all others . Nor is this speech of his to be onely restrained to such as professe Poetry , but even generally to every distinct study : which he quickly discovered , who concluded : Delyrant plerunque Scriptores in libris suis .

Now , to contract my Sayles in the prosecution of this Argument ; I should hold it no lesse convenient than mainely necessary ; that such , who addresse themselves to imployments of this sort , doe use a cautious deliberation both in the election of their Subject , as also in their Style and Method of handling it . A pretty passage betwixt a Scriviner and a trifling Author . Lest , what sometimes the Scriviner by way of derision spoke unto an impertinent Author , be applyed unto them . This Scriviner being on a time in company with a Scholler , who profest himselfe to have Writ much ; and having heard a large Catalogue of his obscured Labours : the Scriviner seem'd to challenge an affinity to his profession . No , that were absurd , answered the Scholler ; why , replyed the Scriviner ? I am a Writer . Yea , but said the Scholler , I am an Author . No , excuse me , quoth the Scriviner , I make no doubt of that ; There are more Writers , than Authors ; and the Catalogue of your Labours enroule you in that number .

In one word , those Workes onely deserve Approvement , who derive their life and light from Judgment . Such onely merit the Title of Records ; because they live to posterity : and represent to the Successor whatsoever was imitable or despicable in their Ancestor .

These are Workes to be ingraven in Cedar , and well-deserving their Caesar . So that , as Alexander had his Homer in Reverence for his Poësie ; his Aristotle for speculation and Philosophy ; Alcibiades the Instructions of Socrates to ground him in Piety ; Caesar the continuall practice of his owne Commentaries to improve his glory ; and Affrican the workes of Zenophon to enable him for occasions Domestick or Military : So these memorable Labours , which are thus penned by judicious and industrious Authors , merit no lesse honour , in what State or Province soever they shall receive harbour .

For others , as corruption of manners is their Scope , or vaine glory their ayme , or some other by-respect the object of their Pen , they deserve a due censure from the State , for seeking so odiously to poison that brest , which nursed them .

Thus much I have writ briefly ( by way of inference ) to caution such as by their Labours erect a Throne for Impiety to sit in : these Humour-mongers , that can with Caesar the Dictator , Atros dies albos facere , make blacke white , and maske Vice with a vaile better suiting with Vertue : Now will I discend to their Opposite , and that is , the Satyricall Writer , or Historiomastix .

Some of these are very dangerous to a State , laying it open too much : The Satyricall Historian . and though acts should be related , as they were done : yet , if the circumstances may seeme any way detractive to some person , or state , they are better silenced ( if it may stand with the body of the History ) than discovered . I have knowne some too precise in this veine : and one especially I remember , who speaking of the great Sultan , could not be content to describe his Palace , managements domesticke and publicke , person , and the like ; but of his piked Beard , the colour of his stockings : and in the end comming neere him , ( said he ) and indeed nearer than need was , his breath was noysome . These , and such like impertinent circumstances are so frivolous , that they imply a defect of Judgment in the Author , to insert such idle , and immateriall Ambages in an History of consequence . But these are farre from those Historio-mastixes of our Time ; Observe this humour in the seditious and factious Writers of our time . some whereof personate the wrongs of a Noble Ancestor to his lineall Successor , moving him to revenge . This is one of the Furies Brands : for you shall never see one of this kind , but à tergo Nemesis , hee hath vengeance at his backe ; a spleenefull disposition disgorged upon the best of deserts . And thus he inserts the injuries : Such a family ( well meriting of Prince and Countrey , and ever found loyall to the State ) was undeservedly censured by the malevolent suggestions of such , and such ; whose suggestions are ( as yet ) unrevenged , but the Heavens are just . What Motives more enforcing to civill commotion ? Injuries ript up , have oftentimes hazarded States : and there was never any People , A true Aphorisme . Nation , or Government , which have not from time to time had one of these . Thersites , as deformed in minde as body , ( for so Homer characters him ) was ever kindling the flame of civill combustion betwixt Achylles and Agamemnon at the Siege of Troy , about the rape of Briseis ; ever harping upon that string to set them together by the eares .

Why Achylles , should you sustaine so great reproach , that have engaged your selfe for Agamemnon , and his Brothers glory ? Be all your hopefull Services , your valiant Exploits , your incomparable Atchievements so rewarded ? Hath Agamemnon no place for valour ? no regard to honour ? Why then desist Achylles , embarke your selfe for Greece , and leave this brave Champion to himselfe and his fortunes ; your merits ( being gone ) will be better esteemed . You had but one prize , ( and that prize unworthy too of your valour ) and must that prize , got with much sweate , many difficulties , imminent dangers , multitude of occurrents , now be taken from you ? But one Briseis , one deare one , and yet Achylles must loose her . Alas poore resolution ! Why , it is better to be Aegystus , a Coward , a Recreant , one that retires himselfe from Armes , fighting close under Clytemnestra's Target . Such a Carpet-Knight is better than a Martiall-Knight . Then would hee presently move Agamemnon in like sort , in no case to moderate his desires : Why should Achylles have so faire a Paramour , and the Prince of Greece want one ?

Such Agents of mischiefe as these , are ever of a neutrall Faction : they hover like the Batte , ☜ uncertaine in adhering to any : they more admire the Sunne when it is rising than setting . They measure the worth or merit of every action by the successe of it . And when the day is closed ; the actions of that day finished ; they admire nothing more than those Booties which the Conquerour h 'as gained . Their Historicall Relation must become a Panegyrick Oration . No Compositions too elaborate ; no Lines too Elegant , to give life to his conquest . Meane time , though the worser cause fared the best , as it was with unfortunate Pompey : whose memory had , no doubt , many Ages survived Caesars , had his fortune beene paralel with Caesars ; they have the Art to magnifie the equity of the Conquerours side : and with palpable assentation to insinuate into the affection of so commanding a spirit . Many glorious Attributes of greatnesse are these ready to devise , to honour him that h 'as wonne the day . But bitter are their Pens in disvaluing the Actions of the conquered : in lying aspersions upon his person ; disgracing his Alies : and inventing by all meanes how to advance the Fame of the one , by derogating from the other . This it was ( as I formerly observed ) that induced Alexander to conceive such great distaste against Aristobulus , as he was almost ready to send both him and his Workes together inot the River Hydaspis . For there is no noble nor princely disposition , who can endure to heare his conquered Foe dishonoured : or to see any one lead him in Triumph but himselfe .

When Caesar had commanded those demolished Monuments of Pompey ( Statues reared in his former affluence of Fortune ) to be set up againe , Cicero told him , that in erecting Pompeys Trophies , he established his owne . So praise-worthy is the compassion of a Conqueror , that in this hee deserves more praise , than his victorious prize . Nor is it lesse noble in him to contemne those servile earthy Spirits , who mold their Pens to the inclination of the day : holding him onely worthy honour who got it ; and the vanquish'd all dishonour , because his Fortune was more sinister . Whereas the goodnesse or equity of the Cause is not to be measured by the Cloze : Many prest quarrells have produc'd strange effects : yea , such incroaching powers , whose onely ground of Hostility , was inlarging of their owne Dominions , or enriching their coffers by others fortunes , have received wonderfull successe ; albeit , some Cloud or other in the end eclyps'd their greatnesse , and return'd them a just and proportionable revenge according to the measure of those injuries , which by invasion , oppression , or usurpation they had done unto others ; as the Lyrick sometimes sung : Quicquid à vobis minor extimescet , Horace . Maior hoc vobis Dominus minatur . As the Great deales with the low , God will use the Great ones so .

But to returne to our Discourse : As those who are interessed in these Military affaires , are to ayme at nothing more than the justnesse of their quarrell ; which reteines still in it selfe a quickning power to the most declining spirits : so are those who undertake the recommending of those actions done , with a competible Pen , to relate the grounds and occasions of their comming on ; of passages during the warre ; with the event or issue thereof ; without siding or complying with either part ; either for Country , or any other private ingagement . As for those , who ( as Optatus speakes in another sence ) are all for Time , nothing for Truth : or , as Themistius sometimes spoke of the Acacians , who by complying with the Emperour , and applying themselves to his pleasure , justly gained the name of Iovinians , Assentatores non Deum sed Purpuram coluisse , &c. ascribe more reverence to the Purple than Person ; Their workes may receive breath for a time , but cannot promise any continued fame .

It was a Speech worthy the Mouth of Traian : Hoc pro me utere , si iusta impetravera , contra me , si injusta . His desire was no longer to reigne than he reigned well . The hearts of his people hee sought not to winne by any soveraignizing way : for he found those paths full of perill . Nor by pretending goodnesse , or shrowding cloudy designes with faire pretences , for those hee shunned , because unsoundly grounded . And as the Fish Sepia is bewrayed by a blacke colour , which she casteth our to cover her : so this dusky vapour of dissembling being once dispersed , would bring him to a discovery , and by degrees to ruine . This had he read in the Tragicall Catastrophe of Tiberius , who gloried in nothing so much as in cunningly cloaking his private purposes with guilded glozes , faire pretences , going invisible , and deluding his Subjects resolutions with a seeming good .

Faire semblances poized with their incommodities , prove oftentimes fruitlesse , tedious , or noxious , as the Italian Proverbe implyeth : Chi habianco Cavallo , et bella moglie No vive mai Sansa doglie .

This he discovered in others misery , which sufficiently inform'd him to shun such Pres●dents of impiety . Nor sought this brave Prince to ingratiate himselfe in the affections of his people , by an indiscreete bounty : for the fatall effects of such indisposed Sowers of their Fortunes , he read deepely charactred in the loose and lavish reignes of Vitellius , Commodus , &c. For these , howsoever they might seeme to have free hearts , they had weake and shallow Conceits : in distinguishing the merit of the person to whom they show'd , or rather showr'd downe their bounty . He , who could time it most , was ever sure to be rewarded best : which begot in persons of desert and quality such discontent , to see others of base condition advanc'd , themselves contemn'd : as this their inconsiderate bounty became the onely pulley to hale them to calamity .

Nor could this absolute Prince ( for hee was Soveraigne over himselfe ) indure to force an obedience in his Subjects , by a tyrannick feare : for though Nero's Position was this : Fortuna nostra cuncta permittit mihi : Yet had this President of Princes , factious & stirring Spirits both in Campe and Court . Hee held that Maxim farre more princely : Quo quisque potentior , patientiùs mala ferat . Either to plant in blood , or beget a more awfull command and Soveraignty by practising in himselfe or Officers , effusion of blood , he found that course no means to secure him , nor to settle him in an Imperiall State . Hee had received from that Learned Morall , Plutarch . how , in the minde or conscience of a Murtherer , there shall alwayes remaine a plague of Blood ; his Eyes shall behold no other colour but sanguine , as if the Aire were dyed into it ; the Visions of his Head in the Night-time shall cast a Bowle of blood in his face .

Howsoever , most certaine it is , that divers factious Incendiaries have showne themselves in most Pavillions ; where , by private suggestions they ever sought to sow differences amongst Eminent'st persons : purposely by a parasiticall way , to creepe into favour with one or other . Which ever redounded to the Authors dishonour ; as might be instanc'd in sundry Examples both Ancient and Moderne . For whence came those fatall-fraternall discords betwixt Polynices and Eteocles ? Those continued Warres betwixt the Romans and Carthaginians ; Sabines and Samnites ; but from these Spirits in the Vault , who were impatient of nothing more than peace : nor Fautors of ought more than Division ? In troubled waters is their best fishing : Halcyon dayes are their Canicular-dayes . A calamitous Cannae , or fatall Pharsalie , Camps where they hang their Trophies of glory . In which , they hold it impossible but to finde some , on whom they may practise .

Hecuba's Dreame of bringing forth a Burning Torch , may be in these verified : Their stirrings would bring all to cinders , were they not seasonably quenched . Publick safety , private Amity , all correspondence meeting mutually , would by these bee soone dissolved , were they left alone to act their owne parts : which would in short time burst out into such combustion , as the Stage where they acted , should present nothing but Enmity and Division .

Some of this Stampe , our late Gracious Soveraigne of famous Memory , King JAMES , tooke especiall notice of : who , howsoever they were for other humane Learning deservingly approved , yet for their indiscreet passages in this kind , ( as may appeare more fully in their Historicall Relations ) they utterly lost his esteeme .

These are poysonous and virulent heads , that suggest into the eares of Princes , Arguments of revenge , causes of distrust , motives of suspicion and jealousie : not to profit themselves , En pallor gentis , generis , genij què potentis Has iras stimulando graves , inflare superbos ! A memorable Christian , and royall expedition . but to satisfie the depravednesse of their owne natures , intended to nothing but the subversion of States , the setting at discord united Princes : En pallor ! &c. — It was thought , that in that glorious and Christian-like expedition of those memorable Heroës , Princes recorded in the eternall booke of fame , against the Turkes , whose hostility had laine waste those blessed and fruitfull coasts , where the remnant of Israel was once planted : that the greatest cause of the ill successe of that Warre proceeded from some factious heads , setting ( that unfortunate , yet never sufficiently praised Heroe ) the Duke of Normandy , and the King of France , at variance : an impious and disasterous enmity , being a maine impediment for the hindering a warre , no lesse glorious to Heaven , than generally beneficiall to all the world . Some have imputed the cause to certaine expostulations betwixt the two Princes , which grew afterwards to words of publick reproach and infamy ; upbraiding each other with divers insolencies offered by their Countries , one to another . What ere the Motive of this dissention was , A mischievous plot . ( how varied soever the opinions of Writers be herein ) the braine that contrived it , was sure the forge of great impiety , and an irreparable detriment to the Christians , exposing them to ruine , slaughter , and desolation .

Factious Historians amongst the Aucient . The like we may read of those two renowned Cities , Sparta and Athens : which two flourishing Common-weales long time lived in unity , without the least motion of warre : but in fine , reading the workes of a mutinous Historian : mutinous indeed ; for his factions before , had beene sufficient , without further inducements by writing : such bloody and cruell warres ensued , as the fire of those intestine combustions was not extinguished with lesse than an universall effusion of blood . Many more I could produce , even neare at home , but I must not insist upon one Argument too long , since I have entred a spacious and intricate Maze , that promiseth entrance enough , if I can ( with Ariadnes threed ) finde a passage to my precipitate adventure .

THus much have I spoken of State-snarling Historians , that make their Workes like pricks or goads to the publick State . I will now proceed with my former division of History , and finde in these two extreames ( Assentation , and State-invection ) a meane to direct us in the perfect and exact use of Historicall Narrations : Medio tutissimus ibis ; neither too depressed , An excellent meane for an Historian to observe . as if thy Labours exprest their Masters poverty : nor too erected , to intimate thy states security . Thou art too depressed , when with lagging wings thou stoopest to every base lure , or object of affection , making thy Invention a stale to others pleasure , writing nothing lesse than truth , because truth cannot teach thee how to live . Thou art too erected , when like an eminent Censor , thou taxest the acts of Princes , with such an austere brow , as if thou hadst forgot the discipline of History , and wer 't transformed to a profest Satyrist ; mixing thy Inke with farre more gall than discretion : yet transported with imaginary motives of selfe-conceit ; cares not who be galled , so thou ( with Ctesiphon ) kicke against the Moiles heeles . For the latter , there 's no profession more easie , nor subject more frequent , nor Argument more generall : and as Iuvenal saith : Lib. 1. Satyr. 1 Difficile est Satyram non scribere : nam quis iniquae Tam patiens urbis , tam ferreus ut teneat se ?

For the first , I never knew any Discourse worth reading , A flattering Historian . proceed from so base and ignoble Merchants : They sell their Workes by retaile ; and hope of a gainefull Dedicatory , makes them contemne Method , Truth , Subject , and all . Irus skrippe is open ; relieve but the needy Artist , he will imitate the Bohemian Curre , fawne on a good suite : shew the project of his intendments to him ; deague but thy protection , and he will second it with an indeared protestation ; to insert Monumentall Characters of Honour to grace thee ; onely bestow thy bounty , and shew not thy selfe unworthy of so fabulous an Attendant . His Invention is tyed to his Benefactors : then dryes the source of his fancy , when they restraine the Spring of their Bounty .

☞ It is the misery indeed , of the Age , not alwaies to fixe upon Merit : seeing many rare and exquisite Witts , and those singularly improved by continuate study , and conference , sleepe many times in silence , unregarded , at least unrewarded : while more sterile Conceipts receive advancement . Yet should not these respects make a Scholler forgetfull of so generous a Title , as the best-discerning Heralds of Antiquity have bestowed on him . For if wee will credit Authority , or the testimony of such , whose precious-spent Oyle hath deservingly purchas'd them a memorable esteeme , we shall finde the Style of a Scholler deepely stamped with the Print of honour . Whence it is , that Citraeus writeth , In Itincrario pag. 444. that in Prage , an University of Bohemia , where Iohn Hus and Hierom of Prage professed , that they that have continued Professors for the space of Twenty yeeres together , by a constant residence , are created Earles and Dukes both together . And therefore to dignifie their persons the more , their Style is to be called Illustres ; whereas they which are singly and simply but onely either Earles or Dukes , a recalled Spectabiles . Neither maketh it any matter , that they have no revenues to maintaine Earledomes or Dukedomes : for they have the Title notwithstanding , even as Suffragans have of Bishops .

Reflect on these , Learning of too precious a memory , to become mercenary . yee free-bred Children of the Muses , and you will scorne to expose your deserving Labours to the Mercenary Trade of our impertinent Pamphletters : who write before they read ; and discover their follies to the world , not to gaine praise but price .

Observe but what surviving Fame the laborious Workes of knowing Authors have formerly acquired : Quorum effigies si verè scire cupias , non saxa sed scripta legas . Admit , they received not that acceptance , while they lived , which their elaborate composures deserved : Let Schollers leave this deserving Motto of Solons to their Country ; and if she reward them not , let it redound to her ignominy : " O Patria tibi dictis & factis opitulatus sum ! yet though a Mecaenas sleepe , the whole Judgment of an Age cannot . There will be ever some , who can both read and iudge . So precious are these Monuments of Learning , and have beene ever , that should Fortune play still her blind part , and reserve the smallest portion for Minerva's Followers : They shall live more honour'd in the eye of judgment , because had in disgrace by a painted parcell of foot-cloath State , which never yet aspired to a discerning knowledge of Merit .

Didicist is Philosophiam , & Philosophiae flo●em , nempe Poësem ; & nondum sprevist is Sirenem Mundi , nempe Fortunam ? For tell me , yee happy despicable ones , are you any thing the worse , because despised , where onely Fashion , Complement , or affected ignorance is in request ? No ; as it is the good mans glory to be disvalued by the evill : so it is your happinesse to receive a disesteeme from these , who pride themselves in nothing but silken ignorance .

Niobe , in the affluence of her Fortune , could say : " Greater am I than Fortune can subdue . Much more you , who are enriched with farre more precious substance : you have in you what may truely fortifie you : No matter , though your outward house decline , so your inward house reteine her beauty . Let your Workes then confirme your worth : Let them not palliat an untruth : nor for any hope of an immerited reward , insinuate your selves into the favour of vicious Greatnesse . Make choice of such a Patron , whom you may justly commend : let his Vertues rather than his Fortunes binde you to him .

Many have perished in opinion of the world ; by addressing their Labours to undeserving Personages : Direction in the Election of Subjects . or by writing in way of Commendation , upon unworthy Subjects . Good Wits should be better imployed : and if weake , the Better have writ enough for them to admire .

These two sorts ( as not worthy an Historicall Title ) have I proscribed the bounds of my discourse : if betwixt such two dangerous shelves , I can finde a retired harbour for the truely named Historian to breath himselfe in , I have attained my wished expectance . The meane betwixt these two , gives us observation of noting causes and effects , how produced , and how ended : Counsells and successes , how intended , how administred . Then hee proceeds further , making resemblance betwixt Nature and Nature , State and State , the government of this Province and of that : then differences of Actions and Events : some wisely carried , bearing themselves faire , and promising a compleat satisfaction to the undertaker : yet what opposition betwixt the end and beginning , ruine being the period , or extreme of his hopes ? Many such opposite Conversions , or Catastrophes rather , may we dayly see in the managements of Warres . Who more happy in his Countries protection , and who more successive in his prosecution , than Pompey the great in his first entrance to Martiall exploits ? Yea , ( as Caesar acknowledged himselfe ) he had conquered , if he had knowne when he had conquered : Vicisses , si te vicisse cognovisses . yet in event , whose designes more unhappy ? Not onely deprived of the bent of his hopes , proscribed ( as it were ) his native Countrey , and enforced to begge a poore Sepulchre in a forraine Countrey : but even most oppressed by their cruelty , whose service under his owne Banner , had beene rewarded royally . Such discourses often move in men a commiseration , Moving Historians . in seeing Vertue so ill guerdoned , and Vice ( under a counterfeit garbe ) of Innocence , receive an immerited reward . And this certainly have most Historians ever observed in their Writings : so lively to expresse the disasters of deserving men , that their Relations might move a kinde of sensible pitty and remorse in the peruser , which is best exemplified by circumstances : for the time , place , cause , and person , with other necessary . Adjuncts , doe ( for the most part ) lay a more open and smooth Tract to the inforcement of passion . Lucan , that Heroick Historian , brings forth Cornelia sitting upon the shore , where her Husband tooke his last farewell of her : where ( like another Niobe ) she makes a Limbeck of her eyes , and descants her owne calamity , oft wishing his returne ; and when deprived of his sight , yet the eye of her imagination represents a new object of sorrow . Here , in such royall compositions , and funerall conclusions , he describes the diversity of Nature , in two contrary subjects : a servant faithfull , sitting o're the headlesse trunke of his unhappy Master : How to move passion and by what circumstances . a slave as ungratefull , haling his once well-esteemed Lord and Generall to the fatall shoare : where ( without taste of remorse , remembrance of former merits , or regard of Countries love ) hee deprives him of life .

When Marc. Antonie was to present the cruelty committed upon Caesar in that fatall surprize he received in the Capitol : that he might move more compassion in his Hearers ; who , as they were for most part Plebeïans , so ocular Presentments usually worke deepest impression with them : shewed in his Funerall Oration the thirty three wounds wherewith Caesar was deprived of life by his Conspirators . Which baring of his body , and discovery of his wounds , with an aggravation of the odiousnesse of the fact , being acted by his owne pretended friends , begot in them an universall sorrow . Nothing but revenge could relish well with them , after this so dolefull a Spectacle .

This that excellent Historian , ( Appian . Alexand . An excellent Art in moving passion , instanced in Appian . Alexandrinus . ) expresseth in such a passionate manner , as his Lines can hardly produce any lesse effe●● from an attentive Reader . For you shall ever observe , that the Imagination workes more to life than the Line : So as , when such a Discourse is laid open to us , we begin to recollect the Circumstances : as the place where such a Tragicke Sceane was acted ; the persons interessed ; the quality of the person suffering : all which are so enlivened by the imagination , as it makes the Reader a Spectator so strong and sinewy is the conceipt of him who understands what he reads .

Choranius , who had beene Praetor , being condemned and now attached by the Souldiers , during those Factions of the Trium-viri , intreated them to forbeare from offering violence , till he might send his sonne to speake with Antonie ; imagining , good Old man , that his sonne out of a naturall affection and reverence to his gray haires , would interceed for him ; but they laughed at his suite , answering him , that his sonne had spoken , A memorable story of an unnaturall Son , and his miserable end . but it was to the contrary : When the old man heard this , he desired them to tarry till hee had seene his Daughter ; whom when he saw , he commanded shee should abstaine from his goods , lest her Brother should sue for her Death unto Antonie . But observe the fatall issue of Disobedience ! This unnaturall Sonne , having consumed prodigally all his goods , the unhappy remainder of his Fathers fortunes , became afterwards attached of Felony , and saved himselfe by flight : where living in a tedious Exile , hee closed his dayes as miserably , as his former course was unnaturall .

A plenteous Store-house of Examples for all conditions is History in it selfe . Which conduce much to the regulating of our life ; and preparing our selves for death . For if wee shall but consider the resolution of such , who for popular honour , Countries esteeme , or safety of State , have with all readinesse encountred Death : yea , who rather than they would endure to see any Tyrannick Soveraignty introduced ; or the ancient Lawes and Customes of their Nation disannulled , would suffer the worst of all extreames : much more we , who fight for a better Countrey : and whose hopes extend the period of time , in the pursuite of our Victory .

There is an Epigramme of Callimachus upon Cleombrotus the Ambrocian , whom he sayes ( to expresse the force of humane reading ) after that he had perused Plato's booke of the Immortality of the Soule , forthwith , Tusc. Quaest. lib. 1. without any other apparant cause , cast himselfe headlong downe from a Wall .

What effects Historicall Readings have begot , all Times can beare sufficient Record : where some , whose remisse spirits durst never enter lists with any common danger , by being frequently vers'd in Relations of this kinde , became valiant Commanders . Others , in the Survey of Acts done in defence of Ladies honours , as if those Historicall Narrations solely aymed at them , betooke them to the same Enterprize . No Taske too difficult , no designe so impaled with danger , which with a cheerefull smile they would not encounter ; so they might vindicate any wronged Ladies honour . Others , hearing those ancient distractions betwixt their owne native Soile , with some other Nation : and the injuries their Countrey suffered ; have revived those wounds already cicatris'd , and vowed a revenge for indignities nearely worne out by time . Such lively Presentments are Histories , as they have power to beget spirit in the pusillanimous , constancy in the couragious , modesty in the magnanimous , with a sweete attemperature of all vertues ( whereof Clemency is the prime flower ) in the Victorious .

Such as defiled their native purity with impiety , by giving themselves over unto pleasure ; and had stayned the Nobility and splendour of their Soules through w●l●owing in Vice , or otherwise fraudulently by usurpation or base insinuation , had crept into Soveraignty , or unjustly governing the Common-wealth ; such thought Socrates , that they went a by-path separated from the councell of the Gods : But such as , while they lived in their bodies , imitated the life of the Gods , Tusc. Quaest. Lib. 1. such he thought had an easie returne to the place from whence they first came .

Of which Subject Egesias the Cyrenian resolved so amply , and discoursed so powerfully , that he was forbidden of King Ptolomeus to teach the same in Schooles , for that many after his Doctrine willingly killed themselves .

These Disputations in those times free from the shock of warre , and inconveniences ever attending Hostility , were usually professed and practised . But when the Gowne and Lawrel gave way to the Launce , such arguments ceased : Philosophy became out of request : Martiall Discipline the sole determiner of causes . Fields became Theaters , where such Sceanes of sorrow were Acted ; as the Conquerour could not say that those booties were cleare gaynes which hee had purchased . This moved that princely compassionate Caesar , sometimes to compare his own Imperiall game with a Democraticall losse . To comfort that disconsolate Cornelia , An excellent Discourse of Imperiall frailty . whose eies were ever flowing in the remembrance of her injuried Lord . To recall to minde those many eminent Statists , whose glory it was to imbrace Death willingly , rather than become Subjects of his Victory . To recount ( if Figures could finde place for such a number ) those many beds made Widows ; those many Infant-orphans by his Pharsalia . Hee findes the Senate dissolved ; all those Orders and Officialls conducing to a Politicall State ( while popular command bore sway ) rooted . The tongue of Eloquence he findes charmed : and to his innovated State solely chained . He findes Iaenus Temple open , and hee is conscious to himselfe , why it was opened : and now he shuts it , but not without a sigh , for he knows not how soone it may be opened . Hee viewes with a serious Ceremony the Statues of his once living , but now interred friends : and in a more passionate recollection of his owne affaires , hee considers , how his ambition brought many of them to ruine . Hee lookes when those livelesse Shrines of his loving Allies should tender him a re-greet , at least an inforced smile , as a congratulating testimony of his Victory . But he findes them Emblemes of himselfe ; meere shadows of empty greatnesse ; a place they hold , and that is all .

Having now taken a full view of his Princely Praetorian , his fatall Capitoll , and all those memorable Beauties which either Art or State could bring to their full height ; hee takes measure of himselfe : No Empire can confine the heart of her Emperor . and hee findes his heart as unconfined as it was before . Triangular it is , which , should it possesse the world , can no more by the Circumference of the world be consined , than a Triangle by a Circle is to be filled . He eyes his owne Composition ; and hee neither findes his body more strengthened , nor the line of his life probably lengthned ; nor the stayes of his Empire better setled . And now he feeles in his owne breast , what hee never felt before ; numerous cares , nocturnall feares : So as , should he be so secured from all outward foes , as nothing could occasionally trouble him without ; he findes such a Battalion within , as he ingenuously acknowledgeth Liberty to be farre more precious than Soveraignty ; all which hee findes the experimentall fruits of his Victory . And now he would converse a little with Mortality ; which that it may take more impressive Prints upon the face of Majesty , hee goes to the Monument of his vanquish'd Foe ; One sometimes equall to himselfe for greatnesse ; and transcendent ( if the generall Vote and Voice of Rome deserve credit ) to him in goodnesse . And what findes he ingraven on that mouldred shrine , but the Effigies of an headlesse Trunke , distinguished by this impresse : " Hic situs est Magnus ! Every where hee findes Fortune his professed foe : and the want of knowledge how to manage a Victory , the occasion of his owne fall .

Hee sees the dislaughter'd Corps both of his Friends and Foes equally bleeding : for his Triumph , he conceives it short in measure of those numerous wounds by him occasioned ; those profuse Rivolets of blood his hand h 'as effused ; those Oceans of distreaming teares his Conquests have procured .

Such Tragick occurrents require their Emphasis , and a kind of un-usuall working passion : that the History may present to our eyes , the very acts how they were done ; making her Discourse ( as it is ) a Theater of humane Actions . I know pittifull stories have strange effects , Lively impressions of remorse , drawne from the Sonne towards the Father . if amply described : For Warriers themselves in the report of their owne misfortunes ( of all men most pittilesse ) have hardly contained themselves from teares . Aeneas wept to see the ruines of his Countrey so lively depictured in Dido's Hall : But when he beheld his poore Father Anchises hanging on his owne shoulders , ( having no other refuge in so imminent disasters ) Suspiria mittit , he could weepe no longer : for teares mitigate griefe ; but with a passionate silencing of his miseries , treasured his un-utterable woes in the balefull Centre of his heart .

Xerxes , when of a populous Army , as ever passed out of Asia , hee had but so many left as might attend him in a poore Cock-boat , to accompany him in his distressed expedition , the History mentions , that hee wept bitterly ; enstiling himselfe , The ruine of his Countrey , the slaughter of many resolute Souldiers . Nay , Titus himselfe , the Flower of all the Roman Emperours , in the sacke and subversion of that once glorious City Ierusalem , is said to weepe exceedingly , beholding so many lamentable Objects of pitty ( dead carkasses lying in open ditches ) so as not able to containe himselfe , he cryed out , I call Heaven to witnesse , I am not the cause of this peoples slaughter . Many such representments wee have very usuall in Histories , motive for their passion , and memorable for their end ; proceeding from the just Judgment of God , to caution others by their miserable falls .

Comparing of Histories very necessary . There is another propriety in a History , which should be observed : and that is a Judicious collation , or comparing of Histories one with another . The defect and want hereof , is the principall cause why so maine discordancies & meere oppositions in Histories arise : and that not in circumstances alone , but in materiall points , as originall foundations of Cities , succession of Princes miscited , the sites of Countries ( an observance more Geographicall ) ill-disposed ; with many other errors , which are grounded upon no other reason , than the want of conferring such Histories together , as tend to the present Subject wee have in hand . Nay , were it not much thinke you , now to prove directly , that the very Computation of yeeres which they derived from their ancient Kalendar ; A difference among the Pagans in their Computation of yeeres . and which they observed as Ceremonially and Religiously ( in their kind ) as wee the yeeres from CHRISTS Incarnation , was very defective among themselves ?

☞ Yea , to shew you , how Chronologers differ concerning those yeeres from the Worlds Creation , to Christs Birth : some affirming , there be 3929 , as Beroaldus : some 3952 , as Hierome and Bede : some 3960 , as Luther and Iohannes Lucidus : some 3963 , as Melancthon in his Chronicle , and Functius : some 3970 , as Bullinger and Tremellius : some towards 4000 , as Buntingus .

Sundry probable opinions every one of these alledged ; yet in Computation constantly different . No doubt , but Transcriptions these men had to confirme their Opinions : how then came these to be so defective , or different one from another ? Divers have no lesse diversly laboured to resolve this Objection ; then they have with impertinency of Reasons intangled the understanding with new doubts . Much was proposed by them Argumentatively , nothing Positively concluded ; being by Opponents no lesse probable in their Arguments , than confident of their Judgments , opposed . Howbeit , touching this our Computation , wee rest sufficiently grounded . This onely is the occasion of our inference in this particular : purposely to deliver unto you the diversity , and consequently the maine deficiency of such Transcripts , as former times have recommended to Posterity .

Neither need wee wonder that in our owne Kingdome , those who have for many yeeres preceeded us , should afford no great light or direction to their Successours ; seeing , Saint Hierome in the end of his Dialogue against the Pelagians , Hieron . in Dialog. cont . Pelag. ( a booke of excellent Learning and divine Discourse ) writeth thus : The Province of Brittaine , which hath beene oftentimes governed ( note the deplorable estate of this Iland in those daies ) by Tyrants and other Hostile people ; Nations bounding or bordering upon the Ocean Sea , were utterly ignorant of Moses and the Prophets : So that then , by the testimony of Saint Hierome , all our Religion was Heathenish superstition : all our Church-service was Idolatry : all our Priests were Panims : all our Gods were Idols . And to appropriate to every Nation their peculiar God , there was then in Scotland , the Temple of Mars : in Cornwall , the Temple of Mercury : in Bangor in Wales , the Temple of Minerva : in a a Stow in Annal. in vit. Morgani . Malden in Essex , the Temple of b b Cambdeni Britan. in Esse●ia . Victoria : in Bath , the Temple of Apollo : in Leicester , the Temple of Ianus : in York , where St Peters is now , the Temple of c c Stow Annal. in vlta Bladud & Leire Regum , & Severi Imperatoris . Bellona : in London , where Pauls is now , ( and now to more than her pristine beauty restored ) the Temple of d d Juellius in Tractat. de sacris Scripturis . pag. 129. Act. 19.28 . Diana : Therefore it is very likely , by comparing those Times with preceeding Antiquity , that they esteemed as highly then of the Goddesse Diana in London , as they did in Ephesus : and that as they cryed there , Great is Diana of the Ephesians ; so they cryed here , being deluded with the same spirit , and transported with the same pursuit of profit , Great is Diana of the Londoners . Nay , even no more than 53. yeeres before the Incarnation of Christ , when Iulius Caesar came out of France into England , so absurd , senselesse , and stupid were the people of this Land , that instead of the true and ever-living Lord , they served those Heathenish and abhominable Idols , Mars , Mercury , Minerva , Victoria , Apollo , Ianus , Bellona , Diana , and such like . No great marvell then , that people so wholly illiterate and ignorant in the Law of Moses , should be unknowne to the Computation of yeeres descending from Moses . But for the Pagans themselves to be ignorant in their Annuall Accompts with such superstitious solemnity observed ; with such constant Feasts solemnized : and every yeere , in their personall visits ( especially for their Olympick and Isthmian Games ) memorized : it may seeme strange to affirme , but a taske of more difficulty to confirme .

And yet this is easily done ; for their opinions about their Olympiads in Greece , for the time of their Erection are divers : Vid. Aul. Gel. & Laërt . The foundation of Rome as uncertaine , since the Founder himselfe is not as yet generally agreed of ; for the divers Relations of Numitor and Amulius , Romulus and Remus , with their Mother Rhea , or Ilia , ( as some will have it ) make up a Labyrinth of themselves without further confusion . But to inferre the strange conveyance ( or Apotheosis ) of Romulus , suddenly vanished forth of their sight , and by the testimony of Iulius Proculus , transplanted to some other place of more eminence ; hardly deserves the credit of an Historian : Yet some there be which shew more favour to this famous Founder of Rome , daigning to bestow a Monument of him , which is erected for him in the Temple Quirinus . Indeed it were little enough to memorize so renowned an Establisher with a Tombe , and to consecrate the place of his Buriall ; as Achylles Tombe , or Monument in Sygeum , Theseus in Athens , Ajax in the Rhetian shore , and Alcides Reliques in Oëta : Read but over the Roman Annals , and you shall finde the discordancies of Historians in these Computations of times to be great : As especially the destruction of Troy , confounding the severall times of Troyes sacking , missing their Accompt from Laomedon to the succession of Priam. But I have touched the errour enough , let us now descend to the prevention of it .

Transcriptions oft-times uncertaine & defective . Before we take in hand any Discourse , wee must alwayes meditate of the meanes , ere we can attaine the end : Which end is soonest atchieved , when we addresse our selves for such Subjects ( as have beene in our time ) wherein we may receive Instruction , by some that have beene inter-rested in those Affaires , of farre more certainty than any Transcription . But intending our Studies to any Forraine Relation ( whereof it may be wee have some one Record ) I would not depend upon the Antiquity of the Record ( for wee have many ancient Fables ) but recollect my selfe and examine the probability , whether such particulars are like to beare resemblance of truth or no. And herein wee imitate the Ancientest and best Authorized Historians that ever wrote .

Valerius Maximus had recourse , not onely to Roman Annals , ( which were kept with great care ) but hee used to conferre with such as had any Breviats of the Romane Lives in their hands : Comparing them together , that hee might cull and chuse out from the best Authors ( as himselfe witnesseth ) such documents , as not onely propagated the glory and pristine height of his Countrey , but might move succeeding ages to emulate their Uertues .

The like of that true Moral Historian Plutarch , whose Style so modestly garnished , and so sententiously concluding , hath ( and not without cause ) purchased him the name of the Father of Histories .

Laërtius , a worthy recorder of those famous Sages of Greece ; describes his Countries happinesse with great modesty : Whose Sentences may beseeme the gravest Understanding to extract , and upon occasion to accommodate to his owne purpose . The variety of discourse in Laërtius . Here he shewes Spirit in a Phylosophers Pen , one opposing himselfe agaynst a Tyrant ; There a Moralist , making young men fit Sociates for the maturest times : Here a Cynicke , contemning the glory of the World , though offered him ; There a merry Greeke , laughing at the Vanities of men wholly besotted and subjected to mundane slavery . O what Christian-like Maxims , what Divine conclusions , what solid Arguments , what enforcing reasons be there included , onely to move men to the embrace of vertue ? With Discourse plentifull enough in oppositions betwixt Ethnicke and Ethnicke ; out-stripping Nature ( if it were possible ) in reasoning , and drawing an argument , neere to Divine approbation , and ready to confirme it , if the generall blindnes of the Time , and their want of further Revelation would admit of their assertion .

Thus much for the former branch of my Division , of Histories True and Authenticke : Now I will entreate of Relations Feigned ; yet such as Moralized include an excellent meaning , drained from the uncorrupted Springs of Helicon .

Feigned Relations or Poëticall Histories . ALL Relations feigned are not to be excluded : for many Poëticall Narrations there be which comprehend in them a wonderfull sharpnesse of judgement , pregnancy of Invention , and a great measure of Discretion ; of which sort , none more excellent then the Workes of Homer , weaving many pretty conceites in the web of his History , Homer an Excellent & Heroicke Port ; shadow'd onely at , because my Iudicious Friend Master Tho. Heywood , hath taken in hand ( by his great industry ) to make a Generall ( though Summary ) description o● all the Poets lives ; and with farre more felicity , I hope , than his mysterious ●iscourse of Angels . to make the Subject it selfe more pleasant . The more I commend him to the reading of the iudiciously Generous , because I could never find in his Works any scurrulous Affectation , but prosecuting his Discourse with a modest gravity , as if Nature , that had deprived him of his corporall sight , had done it , to make the eie of his understanding more piercing . For who so reads the Majesty of his Stile , the wel-coucht Fables immixt in his War betwixt the Greeks & Trojans , may as in a Store-house , imagine the Treasures of all Wits to be locked up in him . Many excellent Histories have beene derived from him , as well in Prose as contracted Measures ; for his pleasing variety relisheth more then others , because through all his Workes , hee useth lesse digression then others : and pitty it is , that every impolish'd hand should have to doe with the Transcription of his Labours : grieving the poore Blind-man with their blindnesse : For who so blind as Bajard ? And if Stesycorus was worthily strucke blind for Commenting on Venus beauty , and discommending Hellens forme : Much more deserve they an exacter punishment , that dare with an unprepared sleightnesse , Labours disparraged by Translators . Comment on his eterniz'd Labours , who detected Venus lust , and portraied Hellens Inconstancy .

To prescribe in what Tongue Histories are to be read , I know their owne garment is most native . But such have bin the disparraging Labours of our English Translators , that Romes Tongue , and Greeces Characters , grow as vulgar and common with us , as the Italian Garbe : so as wee seeme beholding to others , both for Speech and Raiment . I doe know some Workes are necessary to be Translated , Many illiterat of the exactest Iudgment . being such as expresse the politicke states of Realmes ; which imparted to the illiterate , oftentimes conferre no little benefit to our Countrey . But other Works there be , which Modesty would have concealed , being Records of the Vitiousnesse of former times ; as the Obscene and sensuall convents , or prostitutions rather , of those mirrors of Impiety , the Roman Emperours ; the Relation whereof acquaints the depraved too well with such Impudence .

To admit of such Workes , or to give Patronage to such , not only fruitlesse but dishonest Labours , hath beene in all times a great occasion of corrupting youth , The free passage of wanton workes , the maine source of corrupting Youth . nourishing Vice , and introducing a sensuall liberty amongst such , who in regard of their eminence of place , should have bin Patrons and patternes of piety . For if anciently all occasions of loosenesse were so much prevented , as even outward Habits or other externall gestures made them censured : How much more should Authors , whose oyle should be so imployed , as a benefit to some , a prejudice to none ought to be occasioned ; labour to compose such Works , or faithfully Translate such Labours , as may conferre a succeeding profit to the State , to which they stand more particularly interessed . Lascivious lines produce vicious lives : seeing men for most part , are more Apishly addicted to the imitation of any vice , then seriously affected to the attention of Vertue . Scandall is a dangerous shelfe : neyther is there any Tetter more noxiously spreading o're the face ; then foments and occasionall motives of inordinate lightnesse is to our life .

Lacides , that Argive King , was accounted lascivious only for his sleek lookes , and mincing gate . Vnlesse occasions be prevented , the most integrious may be impeached . So Pompey , a profest Champion of valour and honour , because he used to scratch his head with one finger ; albeit very continent and modest . So Crassus , onely because hee would have bought a Farme of a Vestall Virgin , for which intent only , he used to converse with her , was suspected to have abused her . Posthumia , because out of a naturall inclination , given to laughter , and something forward to talke with men , was suspected of her honesty ; whereof being openly accused , she was acquitted by Spurius Minutius with this Caveat , to use words suteable to her life .

Now , if Habit , Gesture , or Discourse begot such a suspition amongst Pagans ; what should publicke Workes , whereto Authority gives improvement , do amongst Christians ? In our readings , as wee should be Bees and no Spiders : brouzing and sucking the fragrant'st and wholesom'st hearbs , and no lesse seasonably converting them to the best substance : So should those , who intend to publish ought ; no lesse sincerely then seriously ponder thus with themselves , before they impart themselves to the World : whereto tends this passage ? will not the ambiguity of it probably beget a mis-construction , and consequently some occasion of corruption ? Have our lines their full weight ? do they beare that proportion , which may sort with the quality of that Subject wherof they treate ? do they neither fall short of the Time , by contracting or injuriously concealing , what should be discovered : Or above the time , by dilating too amply , and annexing a Comment , where the Text it selfe would have served ? Is there nought that may offend a modest care , or deprave an unsetled thought ? May the State receive it , and be not prejudic'd by it : Or the most censorious Criticke peruse it , and without just ground disrellish it ?

Princely Augustus , who ever retayned in him a Morall piety , aswell as an Imperiall Majesty ; for lesser had the latter beseem'd him , had not the former accompanied him ; would not permit his Livia to read light works : no question , light labours make many of our Livia's light . For as the Lover is ever blinded with affection towards his beloved : Plato . so it fareth with these , who affected to light passages , in the end so fixe their deluded conceites upon them , as they admire nothing with more constancy , then such Subjects as wrought those love-sicke passions on their besotted fancy .

But to recede to our Discourse of Histories of this nature ; A just reproofe of indiscreet Translations . I find many unprofitable passages in the Translation of our Histories ; which the discretion of a temperate and well-composed Interpreter might have well omitted : neither should he in this have prejudic'd his Author , but acquir'd more honour to himselfe by his Labour . I could instance many passages in sundry Roman Historians , which might discreetly have beene omitted without any defect or maime at all to their History : and by omitting those lighter digressions , ministred lesse offence to a modest Reader .

Truth is , we are apt enough to become deprav'd by our owne illimited affections ; and little need to have a plat-forme drawne to us , to beget in us a new brood of vicious inventions . Many particulars , no doubt , might suit well the History in his Originall , in respect of the time , place , and persons , wherein and to whom it was addressed : which , attired in another Dialect , and published in these our latter times , would not relish so well to a cleare Judgement .

That conspicuous Light of the Easterne Church , Aug. whose Devotion and Learning have contracted themselves in so unanimous a manner , as no succeeding Age but shall reape benefit by the perusall of his holy Labours , saith , that anciently the Romans worshiped Vertue and Honour for Gods . Whence it was , that they built two Temples , which were so seated , as none could enter the Temple of HONOVR , unlesse he first passed through the Temple of VERTVE : to signifie , that none was to be honoured , unlesse by some Vertue he had first deserved it . The Morall admits no other ingenuous Exposition , than its owne genuine expression : For Honour , none should be so daring-bold , or presumptuously confident upon a credulous conceit of their owne worth , as to wooe her , much lesse to winne her , till by passing through Vertues Temple , he get free admittance unto her .

Now tell me , what Honour shall accrue to those goodly Labours , beautified with glorious Frontispieces , garnished with all the Ornaments and Embellishments of Art , countenanc'd by a powerfull Patron , and accommodated with all those Helps which the extensive Labours of an Author can require : when it shall appeare to the World , that those Lines of his never received approvement from the Temple of Vertue ? Oh , how many sickly Judgments have I knowne of this sort , who by neglecting their choice of Arguments tending to the advancement of goodnesse , and bestowing their Oyle on such as least deserved their imployment , have perished in the esteeme of honest Wits , and disparraged themselves most , ●uijs miserè ●esecerunt , de quibus maximè praesumpserunt , Vid. Ca●al . Hist . where they expected to have beene honour'd most ! But as this may be properly construed an errour of life ; where the affection of an Author , either in respect of the generall inordinacy of the Time , chuseth rather to sit his Pen to the corruption of the Age , by delivering to her what she most affects : or out of a weaknesse and deficiency of Judgment , preferres a light or lascivious Subject , solely apt to deprave many , improve none ; before such as are serious , and might tend to the benefit of the Publique , being methodically disposed , and faithfully rendred , as Transcripts of that nature , are to be published . So there is another errour commonly arising from ignorance of the Language , wherein such a Subiect was writ . As the Greeke , so is the Latine copious and fluent : in both which it is very easie to offend , either by too childish rendring , or erroneous mistaking of the Originall expression .

But the Latine Tongue being of most use , because of generall'st Notion through the World ; as also for that most of the Greeke Histories were rendred by faithfull Interpretors in that Tongue , received most acceptance : and that not onely in the Latian confines , but in more remote places where other Tongues were in request .

We read in Dion Cassius , of a principall man in Greece , that by Claudius was put from the order of Judges , for being ignorant of the Latin Tongue .

That in all the regions of Pannonia it was known : Velleius will afford you sufficient authority . Vellei . lib. c. Strabo . lib. 3. & 4. Apulcius in Floridis .

Secondly , that it was spoken in a free and native Idiome , in France and Spaine .

Thirdly , in Affricke .

And ( to reflect upon more Divine authorities ) it seemeth that the Sermons of Cyprian and Augustine yet extant ( of Augustine it is manifest ) that they preached to the people in Latin . But in the East parts of the Empire , as in Greece and Asia , and so likewise in Affricke , from the greater Syrtis East-ward , it appeares not in our reading nor collection from others , that the Roman Tongue ever grew into any common use . And the reason of it seemes to be , for that in those parts of the Empire it became most frequent , where the most and greatest Colonies were planted .

Now , what absurdities are and have bin usually committed upon ignorance of the Tongue , which they laboured to Translate , I leave to the judicious censures of such , who are frequently vers'd in such Subjects : where they shall finde whole pages mis-construed , whole periods omitted , whereby the Author becomes miserably mangled .

Now , to returne a true levell unto both ; as the Originall exprest acts done in that time vnto life ; and , perchance , glanced at some egregious abuses of that Time , or rather displayed them in their deepest colours : So is his Translator in an apt and proper phrase to render him : and if any impertinent , or ( which is worse ) vicious passages occurre , with a modest silence to passe over them ' ; rather then by an unnecessary inserting of them , informe the present age in knowledge of them .

In observing this , their Labours shal deserve to be inchained in our eminent'st Libraries , and retaine in them a confirmed fame ; while lighter subiects , which receive their beauty from the complies of Time , or adorne themselves with the quicke-vading flourishes of vanity , shall incline to the period of an easie Fate .

But because I have entred into a Catalogue of Poëticall Histories , I will proceed further into the memorable , and no lesse ingenious Works of Hesiod : Much I cannot Write of Hystoricall matter in Hesiod ; yet what he writ of that Subject , comprehended in it more height and true proportion , then any Poët that ever writ . With what hazarding danger doth hee there delineate the rare Combat between Ceix and Cycnus ? Now equally poizing their valours ( as if nature had made them of that equall power ) to the end to leave the conflict uncertaine . Presently ( upon occasioned advantage ) hee shewes a better and a worse : yet so , as without the least imputation , or disparrage to either of their spirits ( making them as imparalell as equall ) but applies the event to some auspitious Genius , or Divine Power , favouring one more then another . Straight , with a new passage , he proceeds to the resolved exploits of Hercules ; Hercules Labours . and with an admirable facility describes his Labours . Hee it was , that by the assisting hand of Iupiter , of whom he descended , flew the Cleonian Lyon , the Erimanthian Boare , the Bull of Marathon , the Lernaean Hydra , and the winged Hart : Hee who purchased no lesse memorable Trophies in Hell , than on Earth ; haling the three-necked Cerberus , and rescuing Proserpina ( if the Supreme Powers had not inhibited ) from the tyrannick hands of infernall Pluto : Discomfiting the Centaures , vanquishing Achelous ( being his corrivall in the love of faire Deianira ) the Stymphalides , the Cremona Gyants , the trayterous Nessus , Antaeus , Augeas Stables , Apples of Hesperides , Cacus , Busyris , hurling Diomedes to his Horses ( to quit his owne tyranny ) freeing Hesyone from the Whale , sacking Troy in revenge of the perfidious Laomedon , subduing those invincible Giants , Dericlus and Albion , redeeming Orcalia , and Betricia from the captivity of Gerion : and wearing the Amazon Baldrick , to intimate his victories in those warlicke Provinces .

These , and the like , doth Hesiod set downe with that probable coherence , that if the matter it selfe did not imply an impossibility , one would be certainly induced to beleeve so concordant an History . Presently he descends to the Generation of the Gods , making up a Genealogy in that distinct order , as the Pagan Gods ( for so one hath observed ) were much indebted to him for so well deserving their pedigree , which without his invention ( perhaps ) had laine obscure .

☞ Now , howsoever these Inventions may seeme improper for the state or structure of an History ; How Invention may stand with the contexture of an History . because it behoves an Historian to relate with probability whatsoever hath hapned either in his owne Time or any former Age : Yet are these , imbellishments to History ; being writ rather to beautifie than confirme ; and to cheere the conceit , than to enforce it to an improbable beliefe . No doubt , but many of those Eminent Heroës , whom Time either flattered , or Oracles deluded , or some other selfe-opinionate Conceit transported , were incouraged to designes of infinite difficulty , to prove themselves descended from a Deity . Besides this , they imagined , being so descended , they were invulnerate . This it was , which put them on Actions above conceit , to disperse their Fame , and preserve that Opinion which the Age reteined of their descent . Howsoever , Excellent Emblemes shadowed under Poëticall fictions . excellent Emblemes were shrouded under those Poëticall Fictions . Hirsutae nuces optimes praebent nucleos . The shell may seeme meane , but the kernell sweete .

When Achylles , that glory of the Grecians , had expos'd himselfe to all dangers , that Hostility or the force and fury of an Enemy could presse upon him ; in the end , hee was wounded in the heele ; for there onely , as the Poëts feigne , he was mortall , and consequently vulnerable . This includes a darke but dainty Morall . Many , howsoever they come on bravely , and can endure not onely the first brunt , but expresse a wondrous height of resolution , during all or most part of the heate of the day , yet in the heele are they wounded . They crowne not the Day of their Actions with a glorious Evening , but faile most when the Merit of their Actions should be most shining . For in this should every Heroëck Spirit imitate the Sunne ; whose property it is to shew most beauty in the Setting : so they , more in their Close than their Beginning .

Yet , were these Historicall Inventions of the Poëts , touching the Generation of the Gods ; in many respects defective , and in some absurd . Especially , in portraying of them aged , or addicted to some vicious quality or other : wherein they seemed to confound Mortality with Immortality : a pure integrious estate with impiety .

For the first , it was an excellent Saying of Theocritus , who observing that popular stupidity of such as reposed their sole confidence in Idols , with the vanity of them : seeing , how even those Gods , whose Modells they reteined , and to whose memories they were erected , were translated or removed none knew whither ; incouraged those who suffered for their Contempt towards those Pagan Deities in this manner : a a Bono estote animo , quando Dij moriuntur ante homines . Theocritus in Cle. Alex. Protrep . Be of good courage , when Gods dye before Men. Againe , speaking of a Mute Deity : b b Quid praestare colenti potest , quae loqui non potest ? Lactant. de falsa Relig. lib. 1. Cap. Dea Mutae , Wherein can that Goddesse availe him that worships her , who cannot speake to him that worships her ?

So as Tullus Hostilius putting c c Pavorem Palloremquè . FEARE and PALENESSE in the number of his Gods : It is pitty ( saith Lactantius ) that ever his Gods should goe from him .

Notwithstanding all this , in the relation of their actions and such intervening Occurrents as hapned in their Oppositions , they deserve applause , though no credible approvement . And the more to be admired were their descriptions , in regard they fixed on no other Story either Transcribed , or any other way delivered , then what invention had first moulded and recommended to posterity . Yet observe what congruity these held , both in describing them what they were , from whence they came , what exploits they did , with the severall Offices to which they were designed , or rather Originally interessed : and those distinct passages of their lifes , with the concurrency of opinions touching their birth , continuance and increase , cannot chuse but beget wonder .

You shall not find in any one of these , peculiar Offices confounded : Liber must not intermeddle with the care of the Vines ; nor Neptune play the Mercurist . Distinct Offices were recommended to severall supposed Deities : and this the antient Ethnicks held with such ceremonious reverence , as nothing could be with more solemnity observed .

For the latter , absurdity ; wherein the Pagans made their Gods addicted to all vice and impiety : This might have declined them from such adoration ; when those Persons whom they so highly honoured , deserved in their actions so little imitation . But to take Survey of those contests or civill Warres amongst themselves , either arising from precedency ; or grounded upon jealousy , or some other occasionall distaste , would be●et a deserving admiration in any judicious Reader : observing , what Historicall Art derived her light from invention ; and in what excellent order disposed , though restrained by rules of dimension .

Lucian deserves his place , whose otherwise ill-deserving parts , being a profest see to all divine adoration , purchased him an end as miserable as his prophanations merited ; being devoured by Dogges : yet in this regard wee have propounded our Opinion about Historicall fictions , I will give him his due place : one of an excellent Wit , ripe Understanding , and laborious withall , to find out the ancient Manuscripts , and records of authorized Histories : yet , forasmuch as his writings are interlarded now and then with invective speeches against the Coelestiall Powers , arguing too much of Natures power , too little of the Soveraigne of Nature : I would have the Generous Reader to prepare himselfe in the perusall of such Discourses , as Calipso instructed Vlysses against the Sirens Inchantments , thus inviting him :

Huc ades ô ingens Graecorum gloria Vlysses , Homerin Iliad , Lib. 2. Siste Ratem , &c. — Thus Englished . Come hither Noble Ithacus , of valiant Greekes the choice , Take harbour here , incline thine eare unto the Sirens voice : For there nere was any did passe , since we arrived here , This liquid way , but wisht to stay , our warbling notes to heare . Hence pregnant wits , and ripe conceits much knowledge have conceiv'd : As for the acts you did at Troy , we newes long since receiv'd . And how the Gods pursu'd the Greekes , the Trojans Greekes pursue , The Grecians hate in sacking Troy , Heavens hate in wracking you .

Of these Inchantments did Calypso fore-warn Vlisses with this preparation , that hee should command his Associates in his ship , to bind him , when hee approached neere those fatall Harmonists , and to stop their eares , least they should be made a prey to their cruelty . So must every one prepare himselfe in such Siren-discourses . The liberty of these times , perswades some too easily to Lucians arguments : and those which ( in feare of divine power ) dare not deny the Omnipotency of the Immortall power in word , yet their prophane conversation implies an absolute Apostacy in them in their workes . I wish these digressions were not needfull : for then I might more directly proceed in my discourse , which the depravednesse of times will in no case suffer .

Feigned Histories approved , tending to instruction . But in these feigned Histories I wholly exclude all ribaldry ; times themselves have instruction sufficient for obscene subjects , without any further excitements : nor can I admit , that those unprofitable Stories of Primalion , Palmerin de Oliva , The Knight of the Sunne , Gerilion , with many other fictive Discourses , should be entertained by Youth . Many of these Relations have strangely transported divers well-promising Wits into strange amazements ; especially such as conceive more delight in them , than more serious studies . Some wee have heard , that in reading the strange adventures of Orlando Furioso , and conveying the very impression of his amorous passion to themselves , would presently imitate his distraction , run starke naked , make Love-songs incommendation of their Angelica , put themselves to intollerable torments to gaine the affection of their supposed Mistresses . Others , in imitation of some valiant Knights , have frequented Desarts , and uninhabited Provinces , ecchoing in every place their owne vanities , endorsing their Names in barkes of Trees , wholly turned savage and untractable , to personate that Knight more lively .

Such Histories I onely allow of ( whether in Prose , or Verse , Such Histories onely merit that name , which yeeld profit with delight . for Epicks may be writ in either ) as yeeld profit with delight ; not subjecting their discourse to observe some indiscreet Humour of the Time , for application , but prevention . Many read , and ( in the loosnesse of their owne lives ) make application of the worst unto themselves ; hoping with Herostratus , to be memorable for villany : These are like Spiders , that turne the sweetest and most wholesome flowers to ranke poyson ; the discredit of an History , and a great strengthener of vice .

☞ He falleth upon a just reproofe of uselesse Readers of Histories : with such as cull onely grounds for themselves , to comply with their owne desires . The Ambitious mans Object in his Reading . And here might I take occasion , to fall upon a just reproofe of uselesse Readers of Histories ; with such , as cull onely grounds for themselves , to comply with their owne desires : As the Ambitious ; who reflects onely upon high aëry Spirits : but never makes any use of their fall . An aspiring Philotas is the Object hee eyes , and his designes , the Coppy after which he moulds his Actions . Oh , how highly is hee transported , when he sees Ambition mounted : looking ever after Hamons Honour , but seldome or never on his Ladder ? Indirectest paths are the wayes hee most affects : and like a youthfull Ascanius , scorns to walke in common tracks , or to converse with ought lesse than Empires . Hee holds Opinion with that Universall Monarch , that Kingdomes got by descent , derive to their possessors no personall merit . He had rather win than inherit ; atchieve by the Sword , than enjoy by succession . Such as these say with Tiridates in Tacitus ; To reteine their owne , Sua retin●re privatae domus , d● alienis certa●e ●egia laus est . Tacit. is in the power of every private State ; but to ayme at that which is anothers , is a Princely praise . This it was ( as I have elsewhere observed ) that caused Themistocles to walke in the Night-time in the open streete , ☞ because hee could not sleepe ; the Reason whereof when some men enquired , who were to him more intimately endeered , Tus● . lib. 4. he answered , that the Triumph of Miltiades would not suffer him to take his rest . So impatient of rest is Ambition , as it cannot endure either Competitor or Equall ; but a reflexe had to them infinitely distracts him : so as , he cannot possibly enjoy himselfe , because he envies their greatnesse , whom generall Opinion holds either equall or transcendent to himselfe .

It is no lesse to be wondred at , with what serious attention these ambitious Fire flies , who ever singe their wings in the flames of their owne aspiring , read , and discusse every circumstance tending this way ; with a personall application to themselves ; as if they were the men which the History aym'd at : and whose Actions , they hope , e're long , will beget an Iliad to succeeding times , to admire their valour ; and to erect surviving Trophies to their surviving honour . Thus doe they catch at shadows , leaving the substance to such judicious and competible Readers ; who make use of those ancient Records to their benefit : in collecting what is most usefull , and with a discreet aversion sleighting whatsoever might be occasionally hurtfull .

Nor be these High-flyers , who seldome goe gray-headed to their Graves , onely reproveable in the abuse of their Readings ; The Voluptuous mans Object in his Reading . but the voluptuous too : who , when they fall upon any passage that complies with the lightnesse of their fancy , so highly affect it , as nothing more delights them , than to discourse of such ayry pleasures , as present themselves in a cursorie manner to their deluded conceits . These are altogether for Stories of Love ; where every Line workes such moving impressions in their unsteady fancies : as they reduce every period of Loves discourse , to a Sceane of Action ; wherein they wish themselves Prime-actors , to close in a personall re-greet , with so light and sensuall a Relation .

Ganimedes Rape ; Laïs loose Love ; white teeth , rolling Eyes , displayed Breasts ; a winning Looke , a Cerusse Cheeke ; a beautifull complexion ( an exteriour good , and if corrupted , an interiour evill ) being that which Euryala so much praised , when she washed the feet of Vlysses , namely , Gentle speech and tender flesh : these are proper Subjects for these light-fancied Amorists .

I must confesse , that no History can be so serious , but it must upon occasion relate some lighter passages , which equally poised according to the time , should not breed these effects ; but rather beget in a Continent and well-composed Reader , a detestation of whatsoever he shall finde vicious : and an ardent desire after that which shall appeare truely generous and vertuous .

Alcaeus , a man of good reputation , and generall observance in the Common-wealth , what toies wrot he of the love of yong-men ; immixing sometimes those lighter fancies in his seriousest Subjects ? All the Writings of Anacreon ( as if those Discourses had got highest place in his Invention ) were onely of love . But most of all others , Rheginus even burned with Love , as appeareth by his Writings ; being continued passages of winning delight : and intrancing the unwary peruser of his amorous Conceits , with deceiving shaddowes . Yea , even Philosophers , ( and that by the Councell and Authority of Plato , whom therefore Dicearchus did worthily reprehend ) became the Commenders and Honourers of Love . For Dicearchus , a Silician Philosopher , and Aristotles Scholler , Writing a Booke of the SPARTAN Common-wealth , distasted highly the opinion of such , who bearing the style of grave and reverend Men , gave way in their Workes , that any liberty should be introduced into a civill state : or authorized any Labours , were they Historical , Poëticall or Mixt , to have freedome in corrupting youth , or depraving the prime seedes of easie and pliable dispositions . These , who stand thus affected , and whose Readings are soly fixt upon sensuall delights ; it were fitting for them to weane their affections , at least , to divert their eyes from those sensible Objects , which ingage reason to the servile Obedience of appetite ; and to re-collect their Diviner parts , to patternes of continence : such as may informe them what to do ; how to remove occasions : and consequently , free their inward Mansions or Receptacles from these corruptions . An excellent Patterne or incomparable Mirror in the command or Soveraignty of his affections , did that yong man Spurina in Valerius Maximus , Val. Max. lib. 4 cap. 5. shew himselfe ; whose beauty did so infinitely become him , as it occasioned many Women to lust after him : which this noble youth no sooner perceived ( note this admirable act in a Pagan ) then hee wounded his face , that by the skar he sustained , his beauty might become more blemished , and consequently , all occasion of lusting after it , clearely removed . Diverse instances , though not altogether so impressive , might be here inserted , tending to like use ; but brevity , as it is the helpe of Memory , so my desire is to accommodate the Reader with instances usefull and commodious , rather then unnecessarily numerous .

The Covetous mans Object in his Reading . Nor be the Covetous , ( if their desire of gathering may admit so much time as to peruse an History in a whole age ) lesse reprooveable in this kinde . For these , if they finde one Worldly wise ; no matter though he not onely grounded but improved his estate by Extortion , and raised his posterity to an unknowne Title of Gentry by deceit and collusion : yet must his life and actions be the line of their directions .

They looke not on Midas fate , but his golden state . Tagus they desire , nor care they much ( so they may purchase it ) to be drowned in it . These hold no substance to be purely good , unlesse it be guilded with gold . These never remember the saying of that wise Simonides ; who being asked once , whether Vertue or Riches were of more reputation ; made answere , That the vertuous did more frequent the doores of the Rich , then the Rich of the vertuous . Implying , that piety was for the most part attended on by pouerty ; but seldome was vertue accompanied by prosperity .

Now to apply an antidote to this infection , and cure in them this distemper'd affection ; as the Vnicornes Horne is of such soveraigne vertue , as being dipt in water , it cleares and purifies it : ☜ so must their earthy depressed mindes be purified by some powerfull infusion , or they will never endure to alter their disposition . To remove then those scales which darken their intellectuall part ; their only safe course is to withdraw themselves a little from talking with Earth : and to fix the eye of their Contemplation on a diviner Object , the Store-house of Heaven . The vanity , frailty and mutability of the one , will inhance the quality and dignity of the other . The meere mentall observance of these , without any further experience , ( wherein Historicall examples will affoord no small light ) cannot chuse but qualifie their Temper , and enforce them to crye out with that Divine father : O how miserable is the World , O quám mise●rimus est mundus , & mis●ri qui cum sequantur ! Sem per enim homines Mundi opera excluse●unt á vitâ . Chrys. sup. Mat. and how miserable they who follow the World ! seeing , that men of this World have alwayes excluded their workes from partaking of life in the World to come .

Thus have we traced over the various paths of three vicious Readers ; all others may be in these included , who make not that benefit of History , to which it was primarily addressed ; but by fruitlesse & unnecessary observations , dispa●rage their owne judgments , in preferring those before passages of more high and usefull consequence . So as , I may properly resemble them to * * He resembl●s fruitlesse Readers to uselesse Travellers , who ●ake notice of such things as are most fr●●olou● ▪ or which i● wo●se , vicious . Vselesse Travailers , who take notice of such things as are most frivolous , or what is worse , vicious .

Others there be , that transported onely with the delight and present variety of the History , make History onely ( as our Gallants do their Tobacco ) a spender of Time : They apply not the fruit or use of Histories , but as in some pleasant or delightfull dreame , satisfied for the present time ; but past , quite razed out of Memory . In stories of this nature , ( such I meane as be feigned ) I approve of those best that resemble Truth the neerest , according to Flaccus opinion : Ficta voluptatis causâ sint proxima veris. For the impossibility of the Relation oftentimes maketh the Subject more ridiculous : whereas the concordancy , or apt connexion of the History ( though the maine plot be false ) enforceth more attention .

And thus much of Poëticall Histories : I will come to the second Branch of my Division of Histories ( to wit ) Morall .

MOrall Histories Morall Histories . be such , as conduce to a Civil and Morall institution of Life or Manners ; Teaching what is to be done , and what avoided . Xenophon in his Instruction of Cyrus , propounds what reasons should especially induce a Morall Historian to speake more of examplary Motives to Vertue , then any thing else ; Because ( saith he ) if Cyrus had not bin elected King amongst Shepheards , it may be , he had never reigned over the Persians : but the very Title , which was given him by Rurall Swaines , enforced him to attempt further .

Morall Histories teach Men to behave themselves in all affaires : If imployed in Embassages , Commerce , or any Negotiation whatsoever , it directs them how to hazard fairely , beare themselves discreetly , and support the burthen imposed on them stoutly . These kind of stories are the best Nurses , they weane us from childish effeminacy , and Traine us in more virile and Man-like actions : so as Education is called by the Philosopher , A second Nature , habituating us to the kind of our breeding : Morality likewise is called , the Soveraignesse of Education , The square of humane Actions , the best Schoole-mistresse for unbridled youth , that restraines affections raging , erects our passions too much asswaging , tempers our spirits , and Reduceth us to that perfect Symmetry , Vt ex pede Herculem , you may know Hercules by his foote , the inward habit by externall appearance .

Hence was it that Alexander gloried so much of his Stagyrian Moralist : Achylles of his Phoenix : of whom he had received so much good , as hee ingeniously acknowledged ; by Phoenix he could both , Bene dicere , & bene agere .

To be briefe , there is no exorbitancy in Nature , which by Morall Narrations hath not bin reformed : Seneca was naturally covetous : which disposition , or malady rather , he shrowds covertly in that sentence of his , inserted in his Book , De Tranquillitate Animae . Nec aegroto , nec valeo . Yet by daily conference with Morall Histories , and precepts of civill Institution , he could moderate his desire of having , esteeming the Treasure of his minde onely worth possessing . Qui cuncta habet , nec tamen habetur : as Salust observeth .

The like we read of Stilpho , a Roman , whom ( as Cicero speaketh ) was of all other most libidinous ; yet by reading of Morall Precepts , amplified with grave Examples , became most conti●ent .

☞ Whence it is , that Morall Histories , or Narrations in such Histories , are and were ever highly commended , by reason of their effects : Morall Histories , or Narrations in such Histories , highly commended ; with their ●ff●●ts . especially in Youth , whose disposition being aptly compared to a cleare or pure Table , which , as yet had never taken any impression , receives her first infusions with most retention . For the first Seeds take the deepest roote ; the first Liquors strongest taste ; the first Colours truest dye . These , by certaine innate sprinklings of goodnesse , conferre the Lives and Actions of such , as they read of , in an equall Diameter . Here they observe , how prudently such persons managed their affaires ; how discreetly they moderated their affections : and with what facility and felicity they attained their proposed ends . By which they collect , that deliberation promiseth successe to every action . Amongst these , they finde a Fabius more prosperous by delaying ; than heady Cethegus is by attempting .

This teacheth them wisely and cautiously to prevent danger before it approach , lest a too late had I wist beget in them a Repentance without helpe ; a desperate repulse without hope .

It is written that the Emperour Titus ( that dainty Darling of Mankind ) used to have borne before him a Dolphine wreathed about an Anchor , with this Impresse : Festina lentè . Which elegant Embleme they make excellent use of : They conceive by this , how nothing can be done happily , that is done hastily : and that nothing of high importance can possibly be atchieved , Eucher . being to any strict limit or compasse of time confined .

The consideration of these Motives holds them from rashnesse ; an errour to which unbounded Youth is commonly most subject : by which meanes they avoid those many dangers , whereto the follies of Youth stand too frequently ingaged .

Nor doe they onely finde Instances worthy their Imitation in Subiects of prevention and cautious providence : ( a Lesson of necessary consequence for Yong-men ; ) but in actions of Iustice ; where that which is right and just , should be fairely and freely rendred to every man . Of this , they finde sundry singular Examples in Ethnicke Authors . Phocion , that Honour of Greece , will not speake for Charilus , though he be his Sonne in Law , but in just Causes onely . Nor that Worlds Commander , the invincible Alexander , incline to his Mother , if her Request tend to the shedding of innocent blood , or imbruing his imperiall hands in Murder . Nor that unhappy Mithridates suffer ( in his respect of Justice ) the corruption of Acilius to passe unpunished : lest his Impunity might become a Priviledge to others , to challenge the like benefit . In these they observe of what esteeme the profession of Justice was in all Ages : and how a native Instinct wrought such incredible effects on Barbarous people ; as their very Actions merited both imitation and admiration in their Successours . Neither could the Philosophers of those times , wherein they flourished , be more exact in defining what Justice was , than these were in performing what Justice requir'd .

For our Life , as it is a Globe of Examples ; so by collecting whatsoever wee see imitable in others ; if we tender our owne well-being , or her breast from whence we had our nursing and first being ; wee will take especiall care to expresse to life , whatsoever wee have at any time read commendable in others .

In Arguments likewise of Temperance , they cull out many dainty Historicall Flowers ; apt to sweeten the Seed-plot of their Youth with a select variety of Examples . Yea , even in those Encounters , wherein the Conquest appeares to be of most difficulty ; to wit , restraint of our desires in sensuall Objects : wherein the Victory is so much more glorious , as the opportunity and motive of their fancy attractive or precious .

They read how Scipio , being a young man of Twenty foure yeeres of Age , in the surprizall of a City in Spaine , repressed his flames of lust , and confined his desires to the Rule of Reason , when a beautifull Maid was brought him ; restoring her untoucht with a great Reward to young Allantius , to whom she was espoused .

The like in Alexanders Continency to Darius Wife and Daughters ; whose Princely moderation and command over his affections , made his Memory no lesse glorious than his Victories .

The like in Zenocrates , a right Philosopher , because of himselfe an absolute Commander ; who remaines immoveable in his resolution to Continence , amidst all those voluptuous inducements , sensuall provocations and enticements , lascivious dalliance and embracings of a light-licentious Laïs . From the perusall of these they conclude , There is nothing comparably precious to a continent Soule .

Lastly , to ( exemplifie in each of our Cardinal Vertues , what rare effects may be derived to Youth in these Historicall Readings ) they observe the Constancy and Resolution of forraine Commanders ; they admire their Fortitude , and bravenesse of spirit . Neither can Pyrrhus Gold corrupt , nor his hideous Elephant amate a Noble Fabius .

Though an Imperious Philip threaten an Athenian Legat , that hee will cause his Head to be cut off ; he has an Answer in store to vye with the mounting Soveraignty of his State : ☜ If thou take this Head from me , my Countrey will give me another that shall be immortall .

And they finde how gratefull some Princes were in the memory of their Subjects Loyalty ; holding their fidelity and trust to be the incomparablest Treasure that any Prince could enjoy upon Earth . This they conceive by the estimate which Darius made of his Zophyrus Cyrus of his Cambyses ; Alexander of his Parmenio , Athens of her Draco ; Epaminondas of his Pelopidas , Sparta of her Brasidas .

In these , they exactly prize the value of true worth . Nor is it to be expressed with what eagernesse they pursue those actions , which have purchased such deserving fame to their persons .

It is reported , that Aristides ( that memorable Mirror of Iustice ) dying of the bite of a Weazle , exceedingly lamented that it was not a Lyon . Noble spirits embrace nothing with more easie acceptance then an Honorable fate . To die for ones Country ; or to be ingaged to the very worst of extreames for the purchase of her liberty , deserved no solemnization in teares : This when youth seriously surveies , he no lesse affectionately admires ; and desires nothing more then to go on successively in a glorious emulation of their actions .

The infirmities of this time are great , and need the hand of an expert Physitian ; no Medicine , nor Antidote , more soveraigne to cure these contagious Ulcers , then Morall Physicke , if the Disease be greene , ( I meane the diseases of the Mind : ) We have here Lenitives to mittigate , if it be old , and growne to a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a very Gangrene , griefes insensible , being most incurable . We have Corrasives to eate away all those corrupt Tetters that hinder the Cure . The praise of Morall History . This is a singular Art ; and farre surpassing Galens , Aesculapius , or Hypocrates : Their cures were but externall , these internall : and so much more worthy is the cure of the Minde then the Body , by how much the one is more precious then the other . O Divine Art ! O secret Mystery ! The Greeks called this Discourse , The life of Man : for without it , he would degenerate from Man , and loose the best ornaments of Humane nature : The light of Reason , The Eye of Election . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ! great indeed , in comparison of the small esteeme this World makes of it : labouring of a great burthen of impiety , an huge freight of sin , an insupportable carriage ; and feeling her owne strength unfit for such a weight , yet refuseth to entertaine a companion that would willingly and readily lighten her burden .

Distempered Age , that labours of Minds phrensie , captivated to unworthy bondage : how long will thy intellectuall eye be shut ? How long hood winckt ? If thou fall with open eyes , thy Misery is greater , seeing thy fall , yet would not prevent it , falling with blinded eyes : no marvell , that sees thine owne infirmity , and scornes the direction of others eies to conduct thee . Alas ! here be many intricate Mazes , unfrequented Labyrinths , places of imminent perill , and thou art blind : no suspect of any Stratagem or Ambush doth possesse thee ; thou promisest thy selfe most security , when most beleagured with perill .

It was no marvell if miserable Oedipus run into Brakes and Briers , when his erring feete were guided by two blind eyes ? Here be many seducements : and as in the Pagan time , there were more Temples erected in honour to Bacchus and Venus , than to Iupiter and Apollo : So for one Example of Piety and Religion , we have ten of Vice and Licentiousnesse . Here the bait of Ambition , hung out and swallowed , and like enough by a Gudgion ; there the painted Flagge of vain-glory , — Summa plebis deducta est gloria plumis . A Caution for your Silken Gallant . — Misceri sanguine Regum Nobile — leading a Troupe of Vices in a Ring-dance : Here a Silken Foole well-esteemed — for Nasci à Principibus fortuitum est — Hee was borne rich : There a ragged Sage descanting on Morall Precepts , but neither garded nor regarded . Here Rosa Mundi , the Rose of Worlds vanity , set on a splay-foote , making Art a cover for Natures deformity : There a plume of Feathers dangling on a Head more light than Feathers , to make Plato's naked Definition Plato's Definition . of Man true : Homo est Animal bipes , implume : proving himselfe by his plume to be none . No matter for Reason : They would be loath to be indued with more than is needfull for a phantasticke head : An ordinary portion of Reason will serve an Ordinary . Oh that these poiselesse Braines would but imploy their ●ime in Morall Discourses , what excellent matter might they finde out worthy the judicious approbation of refined Wits !

It is observed that in Athens , and in Rome also , young Gentlemen were to be imployed in preferring some Law in behalfe of the people : or Patronizing such as were poore , and destitute of succour in themselves : Patronizing such , and protecting them in publick defence of their cause , or the like .

This was the first step of preserment unto Cicero , defending Roscius against Scylla : and that with such vehemency , as generally hee was approved for his seriousnesse in a poore Actors cause . And sure , generous mindes cannot be better expressed than in actions of this nature , whereby they may not onely secure themselves and their entirest affections from the frivolous assaults of irregular perturbations ; but also purchase unto them the generall love and favour of such as observe their disposition , and admire it .

By Morall reading we use to be most excited to these compassionate effects : The fruit of Morall reading . exampled in them whom wee deservedly thinke of , and earnestly covet to imitate : Not taxing them unworthily , nor commenting otherwise of their Vertues , than as we receive by Transcription from others . Former Ages ( in this kind ) have beene more charitable , but the apprehension of our owne defects makes us suspectfull of others . As in Rome , if the Pisoes be frugall , they are censured Parcimonious ; if the Metelli Religious , they are taxed Superstitious ; if the Appij Popular , they are tearmed Ambitious ; if the Manlij Austere , they are styled Tyrannous ; if the Lelij Wise , they are Curious ; the Publicolae Aspiring , if Courteous . Many such Mamothrepts we have , that censure others actions to the worst , making their owne depraved Judgments Censors of others Vertues . But Morall Precepts would remedy this Obliquity , and will us first be Masters of our Affections , e're wee fish in the troubled waters of other mens errours : But this Age confirmes the Assertion of a wise Roman Senatour : Suam cuiusque culpam Authores ad causam transferunt : Or , which Seneca writes in his Epistle to his friend Lucil. Many ( saith hee ) my friend Lucilius commit faults in Rome , but will in no case heare that they committed them : the Aedile layes blame upon the Questor , the Questor on the Praetor , the Praetor on the Consul , the Consul on the Censor , the Censor on the Dictator .

Apologizing and defending Errours , the greatest cherisher of them : For how is it possible wee should amend them , that will not confesse wee did commit them ? But Acknowledgment is a precedent Directresse to Reformation , according to the Traged : Seneca . words : Quem poenitet peccasse , penè est innooens .

☞ It is an infallible Theorem ; Humility is the way to Glory . Which can be expressed in nothing better , than in a free and genuine submission of our owne Judgments to others . Too much confidence begets strength of Errour : and he is the wisest , who in his owne conceit appeares humblest . Great Approbation is then to be given to such , who tender an acknowledgment of their errours , whether it be in their Dialect and forme of speaking , or manner of living : with an ingenuous submitting of their Labours to the free censure of others : which argues a great measure of Sobriety and Discretion in any : Whereas Selfe-conceit is a blemish to the exactest Labours : Neither shall such Authors free themselves from malicious Censures . Acknowledgment of our Errours , whether it be in our Dialect & forme of speaking , or manner of living : with an ingenuous submitting of our Labours to the free Censure of others , argues a great measure of Sobriety & Discretion in us . Selfe-conceit a blemish to the exactest Labours : Neither shall such Authors free themselves from malicious Censures .

Rhemnius Palaemon that arrogant Grammarian , or rather Grammatist , vaine-gloriously boasted , that good Literature had first life by him , and should after dye with him ( as having the first beginning , and should have a finall end with him : ) or like Gorgias the Orator , who ever prest himselfe forward to the first Encounter .

But what do'es this vaine-glory beget them , but contempt and derision in such as observe them ? The Age is subject enough to Errour , and apt enough to Apologize Vice , to give more liberty to the Offender . The way to breake this Chaine , is to lay aside our selves , and impartially to judge our selves and actions , as if they were not Ours , but Others .

For this Selfe-love makes us admire , what in others wee abhorre . A retyred privacy , many times , promiseth to the unwary delinquent , more freedome in offending : but vaine and fruitlesse are these promises . Is there any darknesse so thicke and palpable , that the piercing Eye of Heaven , which takes a full and perfect view of the whole Earth at once , measures the very least drop of the Ocean , and numbers the least portion of Sand upon the shore , cannot looke thorow it ? Oh , if thou hope by sinning secretly to sinne securely , this thy ungrounded security shall bring thee to misery . It was a pretty saying of Epicurus in Seneca ; How can Sinne be safe when it cannot be secure ? Or to what purpose is it to labour to lye hid , when that we doe cannot be hid ? And therefore Prudentius in one of his Hymns , gives this good Memorandum : " What e're it be thou do'st by Day or Night , " Thinke with thy selfe th' art alwayes in Gods sight .

It was Seneca's Counsell to his friend Lucilius ; that whensoever he went about to doe any thing , he should imagine Cato or Scipio , or some other worthy Roman to be in presence . Bern. de vitâ solitariâ . And it was the saying of St. Bernard , That we are ever to set some good man before us , that we may live as if he looked over us .

The way then to cure sinne , is not to shroud it , nor with faire pretences to guild it , or by imputing the Cause to others , to mince it ; but by a free and ingenuous discovery of it , to acknowledge the ground to proceed from our selves : Which acknowledgment will bring us to rectifie what is amisse : and bring that which we have so rectified , by a proficiency in goodnesse , to more perfection .

For what is it , with Alcibiades , that beauty of Athens , to be skilfull in all Arts and Exercises ; to winne the Palme in what enterprize wee take in hand ; to be popularly affected ; with Trophies and Triumphs honoured ; and to have the Wheele of Fortune so fixt , and the Wings of Victory so clipt ; as the former may never have power to discard us , nor the latter to flye from us : When our Inward beauty , farre surpassing all these light Embellishments of Art , becomes blemished by that staine , which holds so deepe a dye , as Time cannot raze it , nor ought but Infamy attend it ?

The way then to cure Errour , is to submit our Judgments to others censure : and in a wise and cautelous distrust of our selves , to admit the advice and assistance of others in any matter of ambiguity ; lest wee deceive our selves by being too confident of our owne strength .

That saying is true : Hee that seekes to be more wise than hee can be , shall be found lesse wise than he should be .

The best Doctrine then to initiate us how to be wise , is not to be selfe-wise ; but with an humble acknowledgment of our owne deficiencies , to ascribe all praise unto Him who is solely wise .

In Morall Studies , much excellent matter may be chosen out of that Mirror of Morals , Plutarch ; not onely to instruct Youth , in the Rudiments and Precepts of Vertue : As how to beare himselfe in all occasions ; how to conceale and smother his passions , with a wise over-mastring of his Affections ; and how to redresse the multiplicity of injuries by taking opportunity by the Fore-top . But even old men likewise , such as have seene many changes and alterations in their Times , and were well nigh perswaded , that all the Volumes of the World could not shew them more , than they in the revolution of their Times had seene : But seeing Instructions rare to them , and unaccustomed Precepts fit for the maturest Head to plod on , they then confesse that their old Age hath beene a Dotage , verifying , Addiscendo , se semper senescere : Reaping more profit by one Morall precept , then a whole yeares Experience in Worldly affaires .

Many old men we have ( that can discourse of the change of Princes ) whose Gray-haires be as so many records of what they have seene . But alas , These Times old in yeeres , but young in houres . conferre with them of true Morall experience , and you shall finde them as young in hours , as old in yeares : Their knowledge in the Infancy , though their one foot in the grave , ready to bid adiew to the world , when they are scarse halfe erudiated in the preventive sleights of this world . A simple age ! when we have no other Testimony that we have lived long , save onely our Gray-haires ; and yet the general ignorance pleads pardon : none so generous as those which know the least ; none of a ranked spirit , that will cast the eye of a judicious applause , upon the meriting Labours of any man .

☞ A reproofe of the Age , in her disesteeming Authors : and sleighting their Labours . Wherein , should I fall upon reproofe of the Age , in her dis-esteeming Authors : and sleighting their Labours ; mine Oyle might seeme to taste of too much Criticisme : for the Professors of Learning , they must not expect all Times nor all Eminent persons to have Scales in readinesse to weigh their Merits .

For the Rich , whose thriving wayes will afford him scarce time to converse either with Wit or Learning , lest his providence in the meane time should be a wanting to himselfe , which he preferres before all the World ; so hee finde graines enough to weigh his long-unseene Gold ; he little cares how lightly Learning weigh in the estimate of men . For , good man , he makes no other use of Bookes , than Nurses doe of Cradles , to rocke Babes in till they fall asleepe .

And for our Amorous Gallant , whose Cinnamon Rinde is worth all the body beside ; hee is so continually practising in the Schoole of Complement ; First , for accommodating himselfe in an handsome dresse , then how to weare it when he has crept into it ; how to ruffle his boote , and make a gingling with his Heele , as if all his patrimony were behind him ; how to powder his lockes , and sweeten those constant Creatures which familiarly attend him ; how to besprinkle his effeminate face with Lady-like Love-spots , which cannot chuse but be as so many Lures to draw the eyes of his lightest Livia to looke on him . These , I say , being his daily exercise , will not admit him so much time as to talke with an Author : Till his long training in the Schoole of vanity hath taught him so much , as he needes no other Tutor then his owne mis-spent time to admonish him of his irregular course .

Nay , he leaves for most part , so small a portion of fortune to himselfe , as the surplusage would scarce purchase his Author so much oyle as might supply his Lampe , in the composure of the most illaborate or compendious Labour .

But if at any time , his hand chance to dive into his pocket , to expresse his bounty to the Muses ; it may be properly sayd of him , what was sometimes spoken by an other in the same sense : " Optimas ga●as infimis servavit chartis : Making onely choice of such for Objects of his bounty , whose light unstudied Lines detract from the Muses beauty .

Nor are they to expect , that our High-mounting Cedars ; whose Object is Honour ; which rather than they will not purchase , they lose themselves for ever : can deigne to reflect on such Low shrubs . For of all others , Subjects of Learning receive hardest digestion from Ambition . Lectures of Morality or Mortality can worke weake Impressions upon a restlesse aspiring fancy .

Composed mindes , setled thoughts , retyred Mansions are Receptacles for the Muses .

Melius latcham procul ab Invidiae malis remotus inter Corfici rupes Maris &c. Sen. in Oct. Safe lay I hid , and free from Envies spite , While Corsick Rocks were my retired site .

So spake Seneca for a Seneca . Yea , I have knowne some of these , never truely happy , till they became unhappy : receiving their most liberty from restraint ; and the best knowledge of themselves from a Grate . Then , and never till then , did these begin to read Man ; nor to conceive the fraile condition of Man ; nor to converse with those Dead Councellors , which know best how to prepare and accomplish Man . Seclusus à Mundo , Sacro teneor Silentio . Then , and never till then , came Learning to be of Request , or in their Bookes . So lightly is Learning favoured , so meanely countenanced by such as Idolatrize the World , or are affected to pleasure , or have in eager pursuite the shade of Honour . But Learning is not hereby to be discouraged , because sleighted or desertlesly disvalued : This hath long before these present Times , bin her fate , and in all ages a common fault .

Wee read in our owne Chronicles , how one yeare all the Laurell Trees within our Iland withered , and afterwards contrary to all expectation , revived and flourished againe : Let Learning apply this to Herselfe ; though her blossomes seeme dead , shee retaines still life in the Root : Which , by propagation of her flowers and fruites , shall revive to her Honour ; while ignorance buried in her owne ashes , and incapable of light or life , shall never recover .

It is Recorded , that Licinius , The cause why Learning is contemned . Coleague in the Empire with Constantine the Great ( being uncapable of learning himselfe ) by reason of the slownesse or barrennesse of his understanding , was wont to call Learning the very poyson and publicke plague , that infected the Realme : The Romane Historians , have applyed this vanity of his , rather to his want of judgement , then any thing else , being not able to comprehend the benefit of Arts.

The like of Maximilian , who was desirous to attaine some extraordinary height in Eloquence ; Qui tegumento Herculeus , ferus naturâ , ardens libidinis , consilijs stolidus . in vit. Aurel. Maxim . which when he could not ( by reason of his naturall dulnesse ) attaine unto , hee envied and maligned others . Many have wee that second the●e , glorying in their owne ignorance , and making a ridiculous spectacle of Learning : as a superficiall ornament to accommodate more the threed-bare Sophister , than the Generous Gallant .

I recall to minde the ancient presage upon all Arts , and the prediction concurres well with this time : Three-halfe pence for a Philosopher , and smoake for a Counsellour . It was spoken in the declining Age of the Roman Empire , when Vice rode in his foot-cloath , and Vertue ( like a poore Irish Lacky ) ran at his Stirrop . But Morall Learning illumines the intellectuall power with a better and clearer fore-sight ; shewing the difference betweene goodnesse and appearance : for true Morals love not to garnish their portraitures with shadows .

Mitte ambos nudes ad ignetos , & videbis . The best meanes to distinguish betwixt the ignorant and morally instructed , is to put them into their habilliments of Nature ; send them both forth naked into the world , and their distinct Characters will appeare more manifest . Alas , the Moralist cannot discourse of what the World most affecteth ; he sees the ambitious man roving at unsetled ends , meaning to ingrosse the whole World to himselfe ; he smiles at his illimited desires , and wonders whereto his fond purposes tend : hee considers the event , ere hee take in hand the meanes ; and hates desire of popular praise , or ostentation , lest he should grow proud by forraigne observances : hee entertaines death with a cheerefull brow . To whom death is not terrible . Terror of death is not terrible to one prepared for her ere shee come ; alwayes taking her , as one of the necessities of Nature , and inevitable , meditating of her , as one — Qui finem vitae extremum inter munera ponit naturae . These considerations ever fortifie a good Morall against the violence of all assaults inward and outward ; apprehending his substance , and composition , to be such as cannot barracadoe it selfe against the encounter of Nature .

Agathoeles , that Tyrant of Syracusa , An excellent observation by 1 Tyrant . in all his tyranny , had a good Morall Statue to represent to him the Idiome of his Mortality ; having the upper part of his Image made of Marble , Gold , and Ivory , but the feet of Earth ; ☜ This Embleme is portrai'd to life , pag. 61. to intimate of how weake and infirme ground , he and his goodly promising person stood . O! if we should but read the choyce variety of divinely-composed Sentences , comprised in those elaborate Works of the ancient Morall Historians : they would move us to no lesse apprehension of our owne weaknesse , than if some expert or curious Painter , ( Apelles-like ) should portray to us every part and lineament of this little man we carry about us . Morality , Mans Anatomy . Morality ( saith a good Morall ) is Mans Anatomy ; it shewes every part of his body , how composed , how disposed : and prescribes how this excellent composure may be best preserved : It deales not by predominancy of Planets , ( as our ponderous burthens of Nature calculate ) but by an even Symmetry of Vertues governing the inferiour Spheares , the bodies lineaments . Nor deales it is like your Phantastick Musitian , that bestows more charges on the Cover of his Instrument , than the Instrument it selfe : but by the Covers debasement , augments the Excellency of the Instrument , the divine faculties of the soule .

But I may seeme to run too farre in this Subject , confounding Morall History with Philosophy : which though I might defend ; for Morall Philosophy is nothing else than a Globe of Morall Precepts drawne from Historicall grounds ; yet to make mine owne passage more smooth , I will descend to the next branch of History , intituled Physicall .

HIstories Physicall , be especially conversant in the search of the Natures of things : approving that Opinion of the Philosopher : Ea Physica sunt , quae Naturas rerum explorare solent : whether things animate or inanimate ; in living Creatures , as in the search of Beasts , Birds , Serpents , and the like ; and of vegetive Bodies , as Plants : In creatures inanimate , as in the scrutiny of Mettals , the distinct natures of Stones , &c. With which Discourses the greatest Emperours have beene delighted . The severall kinds of Physicall observations . Those admirable Works of Pliny , Aristotle , and Aelian , with many others , are sufficient to erudiate the most incap●ble in these Relations : where they doe Abdita rerum rimari . Here describing the very intimate natures of Beasts , the rare and incredible vertues of Plants , and Hearbs , the virulent natures of Serpents , and the attractive powers of Stones , These two Beasts , in Nature and Feature different , by one peculiar Nation , ( Aegypt ) equally reverenced . ☜ He continues the Description of the Natures of divers Serpents ; extracted from the Historicall Description of Affrick . Mettals , and the like . The Crocodile , a most dangerous Beast , ( frequenting the River Nylus ) and a profest foe to Man : The Ichneumon , a little creature , yet powerfull in her selfe , and in her power a profest foe to the Crocodile .

To take a more full Survey of the Natures of these , whosoever shall be pleased to peruse the History of the West-Indies ; may find store of Relations of all sorts in this kind . As Wormes of strange qualities ; Serpents of wonderfull proportions and features ; venemous Vipers ; of which whosoever are bitten , dye in short space : for few live to the fourth day , except present Remedy be applyed ; The Region of Congo , by the Testimony of Signor Odoardo , as it is in Vipers numerous , so are they so venemous , that such as are bitten by them doe dye within the space of 24. Houres : But the Negroes are acquainted with certaine hearbs that will heale their wounds . which according to the strength and constituti●n of the party wounded , receives effect sooner or later : but not without danger of death to the Patient , though the Soveraignst Receipts that the secrecy of Art may finde out , be used .

Of other sorts likewise , there may be found some of that humane and sociable Nature , as they affect nothing more than the Feature of Man : eying him with such a loving and friendly admiration , as nothing seemingly delights them more than to behold him .

Others , as if they reteined the memory of that ancient Serpentine malice betwixt them , and the Seed of the Woman , no sooner come in the presence of that Sexe , than they redouble their fury ; and in their wounding so venemous and incurable , that One of them chancing to bite an Indian Maide , which served the Relator , during his aboad in those parts ; after such time as he had caused the Surgians to Minister their ordinary cure , being not by all the Art and experiments they could use , able to do her any good , nor yet get one drop of blood out of her , De Naturâ Chershydri , vid. Nar. Imperij de Congo . but onely a yellow water , dyed the third day for lacke of remedy , as the like had chanced to diverse others . During the time of her languishing , shee reported how the Viper which bit her on the foot , was two spannes long or little lesse : and that she lept in the aire for the space of more then sixe paces ( note the virulency of her nature ) that she might with more violence assaile her .

The relation is strange of the Tarandula , a kind of Spider bred in Pulia ; The various venemous qualities of Spiders cured by Musicke . which being of a diverse nature , causeth diverse effects : causing some to dance , some to sing , or weep , or watch , or sweat : The cure of it is by Musicke : while the patient by dancing or some vehement exercise of that sort repels the poyson .

Excellent Moralls . Which effects may imply excellent Morals : we are all subject not onely to be surprized but empoysoned by this Tarandula , this Tetter of our flesh ; unlesse by sweet Melody of the Divine spirit she be charmed : yea , wee are sure to be discomfitted by Sloath , if we retyre our selves from action , or give way to her effeminacy , whose only ayme it is to bring us to inevitable Misery . Exercise then must be used , lest our baine be procured .

The like Morall , without much enforcing , may be drawne from other creatures ; and that with much propriety , in the Survey of Natures History .

The Crab-fish , when as the Oyster doth open her selfe , casteth a stone into her shell ; so as , being not able to shut herselfe againe , she becomes a prey unto the Crabbe . The Fathers apply this unto the Divell ; when he findeth men gaping and idle , he casteth into them some stone of Temptation , whereby he workes their over-throw . For the Sloathful man is the Divels shop ; there he works , ever busie when men are lazie .

Many such singular Motives may the piercing Eye of the Soule extract from the natures of these inferiour creatures : So as , though the very Locust , The meanest Creatures reteine in them many secret qualities . or Grashopper be but creatures of emptinesse , they retaine in them many wonderful occult qualities . Nay , the very Hedge-hog , being a creature ( to use the words of a Divine Father ) not excluded from Gods providence , presents herselfe a singular Embleme of pollicy and prevention , in her privacy and retirednesse . For this provident Creature hath two holes in his siege , one towards the South , an other towards the North. Now when the Southerne wind blowes , he stops up that hole , and turnes him Northward . Againe , when the Northerne wind blowes , he stoppes up that hole likewise , and turnes him againe Southward . Such Vrchins , strict Criticisme may terme Temporizers ; who are onely for complying with Time , seldome or never closing with Truth ; but equally affected Naturalists have rather ascribed this to a provident Oeconomicall policy , than glozing flattery .

To sat downe the severall properties of all , or of most sorts of Beasts , would crave an ample Volume of it selfe : I will onely ( as in my former discourse ) expresse the use of Naturall Histories , and to what persons most accommodate .

We read of divers most famous Princes and Monarchs to have applyed their mindes to the search of these Studies : What Princes best affected these Studies . Alexander ( otherwise most potent in Armes , and sole Commander of the World ) addicted his minde to the scrutiny of these Rarities : as may appeare most manifestly by his Letter ( at this day extant ) to his Master Aristotle , containing the strange proportions of Beasts with their Natures ; which during his Indian Warre , hee had observed : describing the strange and unheard-of qualities of the Indian Aspicks , Cerasts , and many other kinds of Serpents , continually infesting his Army ; professing ( as he himselfe writeth ) hee found more difficulty in discomfiting Beasts , than subduing Men : for the one sort assaulted him , when his Troopes were well disposed , cheerefull , and full of alacrity : but the other invaded him by Night . Ita ut ne in Castris quidem minimum ocij detur . Alwayes was this puissant Prince much given to see the naturall qualities of Beasts , so as no Present could be more gratefull , or acceptable to him , than some strangely-natured savage , making excellent use of this Theory , appropriated to the natures of Men : which upon all occasions , ( with singular delight ) he used to apply unto his Nobles disposition , which attended him .

Those noble and couragious Dogs , Couragious Dogg●s . which were sent him by the Kings of Albany , much contented him : They would not stirre at small beasts , disdaining them ( as it were ) in the over-flow of their courage , contemning any encounter but with Lyons , and Elephants . This Magnanimity could the valiant Emperour apply well enough to himselfe : he saw his own nature delineated , or charactred ( as it were ) in their courage , Scorning to Triumph on the conquered , solacing him ever with this extreame , yet chearefull comfort : Superest sperare salutem .

The like desire of exploring the naturall properties of Beasts , possessed Sertorius : One no lesse provident , to shelter himselfe in adversity , then in all his actions continent , amidst his prosperity ; who , after his Regiment in Spaine , erected many places for the taming of wild Beasts , delighting exceedingly to see the aptnesse of some joyned with a certaine naturall flexibility , and the backwardnesse of others , retaining over a certaine semblance of their first Nature , Natures of Beasts . so deeply imprinted , as difficulty removed . Nay , what Stratagems used he ( by his White Hart ) to support and governe the whole Fabricke of his declining Estate : Implying that by his Hinde , or Hart , ●lha Cerva . Plutarch . he received instructions from Diana , which the people ( with such superstition ) beleeved , that by his glory he conquered Envy , enlarging the bounds of his Jurisdic●ion , and making his exile the Symbole of his renowne , till by the bloody conspiracy of Perpenna and Antonius , he was deprived both of Crowne and Life .

Demetrius a worthy Souldier , and one well meriting of his Countrey , was much inclined to this Study : So as at home , if at any time sequestred from his more serious Affaires , he conceived exceeding pleasure and delight in the portraying of those Beasts he had seene : Excellent hee was in the frame of any Similitude , but more divine in his owne ; being of that exact forme , elegant constitution , and sweetly-mixt Complexion , Vt à pictoribus , sculptoribusque ei similis non potuerit effingi : A rare Modell of Nature , when ( by Nature ) he was imparraleld .

Alcibyades , no lesse deserving , yet worse censured , was well experimented in the Natures of Beasts , but more in Plants : Natures of Plants . having an Hearb , even to this day ( amongst our Apothecaries ) called after his Name , Alcybiadon , or the Wilde Buglosse .

Natures of Mines . Plutarch & Suet. And for Mettals , Minerals , or the like . None more accommodated to such Studies than that Soveraigne of Roman Hearts , Augustus , hearing his Lapidary Dioscorides with especiall delight : So as in time he was not onely able to distinguish of any Stone , but to describe their Natures : Using likewise the Art of Alchemy , more expert in their recalcinations ( saith the Roman Historian ) than the best Professours of that Time ; and consequently I may conclude than the grosse Quacke-salvers of our Time .

You see it is no disparagement for the Generous or Heroïck Spirit to be Studied in these Notions : Expedient , not necessary . since the peerelesse for Valour and true Resolution , have dedicated themselves unto them : yet would I not have them so besotted , or be wedded to these studies , as to forget more important intendments : I confesse these are rather to make a man compleat , than exactly necessary , and a superficiall knowledge is sufficient for Learning of this Nature : And well doe I approve of that Ornament of Learning ( the best Lustre to the Schoole of Arts ) where hee would rat●er have a Gentleman superficially seene in all , Sr. F. B. than profoundly learned in one : Too much retyring to these Studies , accord not with Gravity or State , but to discourse ( by way of Reason ) without Sophisticall argumenting , well beseemes the most Generous mindes .

It is an happy thing to keepe a meane in Wisdome ; not to strive ( in an over-flow of Understanding ) to out-strip Nature in the investigation or search of Naturall things : A little will serve us in indifferent things , and more it relisheth of Discretion , to know when wee have enough ; than , with an unbounded will of affecting knowledge , superstitiously to know more than Nature hath prescribed .

This excesse in desire of knowing , hath beene a contagion , that hath infected and poisoned the maturest Studies : especially in things so impertinent , as when the pitch of that they expected was attained ; Their knowledge conduced no more to the profit of the Repub. than if with Endymion , they had slept their time , and passed their life over in a fruitlesse silence . It pleaseth the Orator to tearme such a Study — Inutilis mentis agitatio : Sayling in the troubled streame , where a more cleare and calme passage doth shew her selfe . Thus I approve in these Naturall Discourses , a superficiall Discursive Knowledge , to exclude Ignorance , but no such affective height , lest in so exquisite a search of Nature , wee should shew our selves Naturals . We say , the Generous should be but Mediocriter doctus : I need not insist upon the perswasion ; wee have too many of Iuvenals painted blocks in the way of Learning , that never meane to come nearer . So as I may answer , — Hinc i●clyta nomine truncus exhibuit — as an Athenian reasoned , what the cause should be why there was such an ebbe of good Wits in Athens ? Because ( saith he ) they runne into the Sub-urbs , and dwell with Laï● .

The best and ripest Wits are most subject to corrupting , concording well with the native depravation of these Times , where Medaea's Rule is made an Axiome , every one with Lincius seeing the best , but with blind Baiard , deprived of the Eye of their Election .

Too much of them ; our Treatise requires a better Subject , than such staines to their Countries fame , and pristine honour , making her complaine , Eone mate●na cura se provexit ! as Rome did in time of old : Eone vos produxi ? &c. Is this the fruit of my long Labour , the freight of my race , and the reward of my Motherly love , to bring you up , and then ( like Vipers ) to sting me that hath nourished you ? Well then , my blessings must be turned of necessity unto execrations : and that Breast , which first nourished you with the Milke of comfort , must be the very Sepulchre to interre you that buried my honour .

Thus did Rome hollow out her complaint against her ill-nurtured issue ; and no lesse cause Albion against her undisciplined race , that seeme as if they were , — Fruges consumere nati .

And here I might preferre a just complaint against such , who consume the Oyle of their Life , ☜ A just complaint against such , who consume the Oyle of their Life , in frequenting Loose places : how to rectify this , that their own●●amilies may become private Academies . in frequenting Loose places : and apply some choice soveraigne Receipts , to rectifie this ; to the end ( than which no end more glorious ) their owne Families may become private Academies . Which I shall the rather labour , in regard , that the regulating of our selves to that forme , may highly conduce both to our own & Gods honor .

How carefull the Romans were in their cessation from armes , to educate their youth in action , lest too much remissenesse might beget in them an effeminacy of manners ; and so in time disable them for personall employments eyther at home or abroad , may sufficiently appeare by all those ancient Annals recommended from age to age , even to these our times . Whence it came , ( ●s I have else where noted upon like occasion ) that there was published an antient Edict amongst the Romans , as is recorded by Cic●ro in his Booke of Lawes , that no Roman should go through the street of the City , unlesse he carried with him the badge ●r cognizance of that Trade whereby he lived : Insomuch as , that good Emperour Marc. Aurelius speaking of the dilligence of the Romans , writeth , That all of them followed their labour . An excellent commendation in a civill State ; to banish that , by which the best States through a long continued peace , or affluence of wealth , have not only bin impeached and impaired , but rooted out and utterly razed .

Idlenesse maketh of Men women , of women beasts , of beasts Monsters . I w●uld have then these Patrons of Idlenesse ( who consume the precious lampe of their life in a licentious liberty ) used , as Zeno used his servant Bruson ; who being taken with Theft , and alledging for himselfe , that it was his destiny to steale ; his Maister answered , and thy destiny to be beaten .

It is the depraved nature of Man , to mould himselfe ever after Medaeas rule ; to see the best , but to follow the worst ; nay , to make the worst use of that which in its owne nature is the best . For what more precious then the palmes of Peace ? Yet , what is it that sooner corrupts the freest State ? A tempestuous Progeny in a calme time . For what is the progeny that a Calme time brings forth ( all which implies the viciousnesse of our ●ature ) but a Prodigall and an Vsurer ? Where the one ingageth his state for backe and belly ; the other quite contrary , stands indebted both to back and belly . The one playes at Ducks and Drakes with pieces , till hee must fish for more when all his estate is falne in peeces ; The other hoords up for his seldome thriving Heire ; who meanes , as his father was the first , to make himselfe the last of his House .

That Maxim is true ; Health commeth not from the Clouds without seeking , nor Wealth from the clods without digging : yet , as there is required a providence in the one ; so should there be a conscience in the other . Foenus pecuniae , Funus animae . Qui te prohibet foenorari , ipse te jubet foe●orari . Lycurgus banished this Usury ( the canker-worme of all civill Society ) out of Sparta ; Amasis punished it severely in Aegypt ; Cato banished it out of Sicilia : and Solon in Athens . How much more should it be holden in detestation amongst Christians ? And for the other , who so hee may be styled a Young Master , will not stick to impawne the Long Acre , till hee become like a Snake who h'as casten his slough ; a squeazed swad without either Meanes , Manners , or Mannor : I could wish that he took his Spunge by the hand , and tooke leave of this Iland together , till ayre had changed their condition , or Grace the quality of their Temper . As sometimes that worlds Monarch used two of his Court Parasites , injoyning the one to flye , and the other to follow him with a whip , till thoy were both got out of his Kingdome , and so his Court was rid of both .

And to make up a lease in this vicious trace ; it were not far amisse for the State , that such , who by petitionary wayes work their owne ends ; and , Heare this yee Pattenters , & petitionary Projectors . as if they were presenters of petitions by Pattent , make it their most commodious Trade , to delude the poore Supplicants trust : and to maintayne their profuse course , feed their languishing Clyents with unprofitable delayes , tasted of the whip aswell as these . So that , as Alex. Severus ( a great enemy to such Impostors ) caused his corrupt Courtier Turinus in the open Market to be fastned to a stake and stifled with smoake ; while the Cryer thus cryed to the people , Fumo pereat , qui fumum vendidit . " Let him perish by smoake , who sold smoake . I could wish that such as these be ( if any such there be ) might receive the like censure , according to the height or measure of their distemper . For these , like Brokers of old-stuffe , or Barterers of contemptible ware , make sale of that which is not vendible . Or like those Asian Knights , make breach of credit to discharge their credit : who , though they have no other vocation but boldnes and insinuation , yet by these injurious wayes , beare themselves in the World as if they were persons of quality and fashion .

But to proceed in our Discourse : Histories of this Nature , are very needefull for professors of Physicke : for how should they conceive the true Art of composition , if the simples whereof the compounds are made , and their vertues , be not perfectly knowne unto them ? Brasevolus , de examine herbarum , exemplifies this Discourse more fully ; I will referre them to that place , not entertayning that Subject which is but superficially traduced to me ; and I have alwayes made that observance ( in way of Axiome ) to all my Readings , which Silvius in his Booke , De Simplicib . Medicament , injoyneth himselfe : What Art soever a Man knoweth , let him only exercise and use it : For otherwise he shall but descry his owne Ignorance , as I have noted in some : Quos cum nescire piguit , mentiri non pigebat . An odious scandall to a generous-minded Scholler , to write that which he is ignorant of himselfe ; Lesse ashamed to lye , then to be defective in Knowledge . But especially , some we have of this sort , that lye upon their Knowledge : Some ( as in Traians fabling Age ) write Arts of Horsemanship , that never rode otherwise then Agesilaus with his Children on Cocke-horse . Others can exactly prescribe Times for Planting , Sowing , Reaping , and the like ; playing the good Husband-man ( I pray you marke him ) that never read Virgils Bucolicks : These are usurping wits , presuming on the affable censures of these depraved times . Ignorance can Apologize herselfe : for what Writer now a dayes weares not that Livery ?

To our History : These naturall Discourses of the qualities of Beasts , Birds , Serpents , and other Creatures , be likewise especially needefull for Divines : They may amply dilate upon the admirable Workes of their Creator , by the Survey of his Creatures . Emblemes of Birds . The contemplation of the Creature ministers admiration in us toward our Creator . For even all Birds and Beasts ( if exactly considered ) shew the infinite power of the Almighty ; not onely in Creating , but in●using such diversly-affected natures and dispositions in them . The witty Emblematist also draines his pretty inventions from these resemblances ; portraying the Creature , and annexing his device to the Portray .

Nay , they are very motive perswasions to the acknowledging of our owne weaknesse and infirmity : spurres to thankfulnesse , as that excellent E●bleme , where a Larke was pearched , with these Verses : Vid. Sambucum & Aletat . Cantat Alauda Deo laudes gratissima summo , Hinc nos ingratos grata latescitavis . Englished thus . The early Larke her gratefull minde displayes , Descanting Morne by Morne her Makers praise : Whence she doth taxe such as unthankfull be , That have more cause , yet give lesse thanks than she .

We have many such witty Emblemes , well befitting the most Christian understanding to contemplate ; drawing the inscrutable Wisdome of God from the Excellency of his Creatures : the divers formes whereof generally varying , their different Natures in few things concurring , and their continuance so mainly discording , may minister to the greatest Atheist , no lesse cause of Admiration , than cause of Execration of his irreligious and damnable Opinion .

☞ Nor can there be any Arguments more forcing than these , to bring a mis-beleever to the acknowledgment of his Maker . So as , the very Atheist , if he would suffer himselfe to be evinced by Reason , could not chuse but veile , and ingenuously hold himselfe condemned by Birds o th' Aire : Whose melody is ever mounting with airy Wings to that Supreme Majesty . The very Atheist condemned by Bi●ds o th' Ayre : and how their Melody is ever mounting with aery wings to that Supreme Maiesty . Upon which consideration , would hee but reflect on himselfe , he should soone finde , how miserable it is for man to be silent in Gods praise , when Birds become heavenly Quiristers in sending forth sweet ayres . How miserable it is , for man to be silent in Gods pra●se , when Birds become heavenly Quiristers in sendi●g forth sweet Ayres .

I cannot chuse but wonder at Democritus , who was of such various , nay , Omnifarious reading , as there was nothing in the whole frame or Workmanship of Nihil in toto Op●ficio Naturae , de quo non scripsit . Nature , wherein he did not shew himselfe a Writer . That Hee , who knew the Natures , differences of all Beasts , Plants , Fishes , Birds ; and as some say , could understand the Tunes and Voyces of them , should so miserably erre in that , which hee should principally know . For if these Visible Creatures be Lay-mens Bookes ; wherein they may finde matter enough to magnify the Power , Wisdome and Providence of God ; much more those , who are Vers'd in Bookes , and are enabled to conferre Contemplation with Reading , merit high reproofe : who seeing what they may worthily admire ; and that the Maker of them is Hee , to whom they are onely to adhere ; are neither wonne by the One nor Other , to acknowledge the sole Omnipotency of their Creator .

It is said of the Quaile , being the very same Bird which was the Israëlites Meate in the Wildernesse , that as hee flyes over the Sea , feeling himselfe to begin to be weary , he lights by the way into the Sea . Then lying at one side , hee layes downe one Wing upon the Water , and holds up the other Wing towards Heaven . Lest hee should presume to take too long a flight at the first , he wets one wing . Lest hee should despaire of taking a new flight afterwards , he keeps the other wing dry .

The Morall is divine , though the Story be naturall and humane . Oculis ad Coelum , manus ad Clavum . The Course of our perillous Navigation in this our Sea-fare , toucheth upon two dangerous Shelves ; such as threaten more inevitable ruine to the unwary Navigator , than those two Sicilian Gulfes , Scylla and Charybdi● . Where Presumption , upon the confidence of her owne strength , falls by a precipitate Course into the depth of all misery : and despaire , through too much diffidence , lyes miserably groveling , neither seeking nor hoping for Remedy . The flight of the former is either short , or none at all ; because Presumption makes her thinke it needlesse to fly for that of which shee is already seaz'd : and Despaire , like heavy chesses , retardates her flight ; suggesting to her that it is needlesse to fly for that whereof shee can never possibly be seas'd .

Oris Apollo writeth , that the Aegyptians ( amongst many other profound Hieroglyphicks ) when they would describe the Heart , paint that Bird , which they call Ibis : because they thinke no Creature , for proportion of the body , hath so great an Heart as the Ibis hath . If the Pagans made such singular use in their dissection of Birds ; as they ever reduced whatsoever they read , or had seene in that kinde , to some excellent end : Much more wee , who know better the use of these Creatures , and to what proper end they were first ordained ; not in Wantonnesse to abuse them , as those loose Imperiallists did , who affected nothing more then Rarity ; nor desired ought more , then to surfeit in their Excesse and superfluity . Neyther in a Superstitious use of them ; as the Pagans did , who attributed their good or bad fortune to such Birds , Creatures ordayned to Sobriety and usefull Morality . as were eyther Auspicious or Ominous : promising themselves successe according to their flight ; or inspection of their Intrals after death .

In the time of Augustus , an Eagle hovering over the Heads of such Patricians , as were then i● Consultation ; at last setled upon the name of Agrippa , and just upon the first Letter of that name A — A Lightning likewise descending downe from Heaven , stroke the first Letter of his owne name out , — C — Whence South-sayers , by conjecturall Arguments , or Revelations from their Oracles , gathered , that Hee should but live an hundred dayes after , and be afterwards Cannonized for a God : because Aesar , the residue of t●at Name in the Tuscane Language signified God .

Albeit , some even amongst themselves , sleighted their Auguries , as might be instanced in Claudius Pulcher ; who , when in taking his Auspicia , or the predictions of his successe by the inspections of Birds , before Sicilie , the Pullets would not feed , hee commanded they should be plunged in the Sea , that they might drinke , seeing they would not eate . The like did Crassus , who being willed by the Arabian Guides , at such time as he was Marching within the Persian Frontiers , to make haste before the Moone was in Scorpio ; but I ( said he ) feare more Sagittary , meaning the Archers of Persia .

But there is nothing in my Opinion , that should worke more powerfull effects , or beget in men more virile shame , than to see them out-stript by Creatures of this kind , even in arguments of Naturall Affection and Humanity .

Basil . Homil. 8. & 9. It is a notable Observation , which a Divine Father sometimes culled from a Naturall Historian : When the old Storke through Age becomes naked of Feathers , shee is fed by her Brood , and carryed by them from place to place upon their Wings .

This might worthily strike a glowing shame in the breasts of all such unnaturall Children , who neglect their duties to their aged Parents ; bringing their grey-haires with sorrow to their Graves . Quamvis plurima illis reddidimus , rursus tamen eos generare non possumus . Cyril . For how should these in an equall proportion requite them from whom they had their being and breeding ; admit they should for their reliefe , conferre all their Fortunes and livelyhood upon them ?

What should I say likewise of unnaturall Mothers ; who scorne to impart their owne Breasts to their owne Babes ? Can these see the Curuca with her attendants following , and nursing care hatching the Cuckowes egges , and not blush at themselves ? Have they naked breasts to bestow on the ayre , or allure a wandring eye , and must their owne be deprived of that liberty ?

Many such Morall Motives as these , speake to us in the natures of Birds : but I must not dwell on these ; but hasten in this my Historical Survey , to the native discovery of other Creatures .

Here the Hyene ( as Pliny relates ) can imitate the voice of any Man , and that so neerely , The dist●nct Natures of Beasts expressed . as his voyce can hardly be distinguished from the voyce of him he imitateth ; taking his denomination from the Greekes , according to his naturall rapine .

There the Fiber , or Bever ( by what instinct , Humane wisdome could never reach to ) to satisfie his covetous pursuer , bites off his own stones , being the prize ( he knowes ) for which he is pursued .

Here see the dissembling Sphinx , able to personate any passion , eyther of joy or sorrow . There the wonderfull nature of the Rhynoceros : The Lyon so naturally valiant , as not to be daunted ; yet behold the silly Cocke can make him tremble ! Then represent to your generous reading , the naturall enmity betwixt the Horse and the Beare , the Wolfe and the Lyon , the Fox and the Badger ; such a native disagreeing remaines among these Beasts , as their hatred is implacable ; ever pursuing their enemy with an inveterate hate : for an enmity ingrafted by nature , cannot be suppressed by lesse then nature .

Many conflicts were instituted in Rome ( at solemnization of any Festivall , or in remembrance of some memorable Exploit atchieved ) betwixt Beasts : whence the Romans gathered great knowledge , seeing the remisnesse of some Natures , and the eagernesse of others . Some of an unquailed spirit , yet in strength unable to maintaine their spirit : others ( like our unweldy Epicures ) sinewy and fleshy enough , have strength at will , but defect of courage so curbes them , as the over-flow of ability waines in the rising ; not daring to encounter with one of lesse strength , but more vivacity .

Vide Lucium Flor. in 1. lib. de Sab. Bell & postea de bello Tarent . Cap. 18. When Fabius Maximus went in Embassage to Pyrrhus , Prince of Epyre , with whom ( at that time ) the Romans had Warre : hee denounced open Hostility against him and his Territories , for not performing some conditions included in the League . Pyrrhus , to terrifie Fabius , commanded his Guard to place an Elephant behind the Arras , that at their next parley , Fabius seeing so terrible a Beast , Those Times were not known to that unfrier-like Inventiō of murd'ring Ordnance : " The Crane , the Grasping-hooke and butting Ramme " Were their sole Engines when first wars began . might of his owne accord solicite Peace . But Fabius ( though one at that time unacquainted with such sights , for never were any Elephants then seene in Rome ) hearing him send out his hollow voice , replyed : The sound of a Roman Ramme will be more terrible than the voyce of an Epyrian Elephant . But these grew afterward to publick Spectacles : so as in any Triumph of some victorious , or puissant Captaine , there were many Elephants , Ounces , Panthers , Tygers , and other savage Beasts slaine , offering them ( in Triumphant manner ) to the Temple of the Goddesse Victoria .

Varro , a Roman Peere , one to whom the Romane Tongue was much indebted , Si multo sanguine victoriam obti●uissent , Gallum : si absque sa●guine , Bovem Marti immol●rent . &c. did illustrate the Annals of Rome with their Ceremoniall Triumphs ; shewing also what Beasts were wont to be sacrificed to the Gods , and for what cause that Institution was observed ; If the Victory ( sayth he ) was purchased with the losse of blood , they used to sacrifice to Mars , a Cocke ; but if without blood , they offered an Oxe .

These naturall Descriptions of Beasts are very delightfull to the generous Reader ; they are very fit for illustrating any Subject ; making comparison betwixt the Natures of Beasts , Birds , or Plants , and other materiall subjects of our Discourse ; comparing Lust , Incest , and such lascivious exorbitances to the Lapwing , represented by Tereus , the Ravisher of Philomel : Inferring by the Spider , Arrogancy , or Pride , that durst compare with Pallas for preëminency . By the Cormorant , grating Oppression , sencelesse and remorcelesse of others Miseries . Progne ( in a Swallowes habit ) implying the swiftnesse of revenge to Murder .

That chaste Bird Porphyrio , who , ☜ as he is constant in his choice , so if hee see his love abused , his nest defiled , he dyes through griefe ; as one impatient of such disgrace . Hee is sayd likewise to bite the Water , implying , that as hee is pure of himselfe , so hee cannot endure to partake of those streames , which are troubled or soyled with any brackish distemper .

He proceeds in applying the Natures of severall other Birds , to the sundry different qualities , or corruptions rather , in man . We read how Phineus that impious Arcadian Prince , having by the perswasion of his second wife Idaea , put out his Childrens eyes , which he had by his first wife Cleopatra , was for this unnaturall fact plagued of the Harpyes : three monstruous and ravenous Birds , Aelo , Ocypete , and Celano , having Maiden visages . Long time was this unhappy King annoyed , what way soever he Travailed : Sea could not secure him , nor Land priviledge him . At his repast , his stomack was made queasie by their stench : and on the night time , by reason of their noise , was he reft of rest : In which story , sundry excellent Morals are daintily couched . First , how the very Ethnicke Poëts could invent punishments for haynous delinquents . O quàm meritò divina occurrit ultio cuiusque peccati proprio obiecto ! A commanding Prince , if conscious of blood , cannot find himselfe a shroud . No shelter against Murder . Flie he to the Sea , the very waves raised by the fury of the winds , will be his remembrancers , retire he to the Land , the very Creatures will have him in pursuite , till they become his Surprizers . From his House he flyes unto the field , but Furies dogge him still : no Covert in field can rescue him from his Fate .

By the Harpyes , may be understood , that there is no Creature , but the Supreame power , if Hee please , can make it his Avenger . But these kind of Birds were by the Poëts most properly devised to be pursuers of this bloody Prince . Their ravenous Nature agreed best with his temper . For as their Condition is to prey upon their owne ; so did hee in his cruelty seaze upon his owne : And as the Eye is the first part which any ravenous Bird useth to pick at : so it was the Eyes of these Orphan-children which their Step-dame Idaea aym'd at . Now , whereas these Birds are portrayed with Maiden-visages , we may by that safely conclude , Frontis nulla fides — : Amiable Features may have savage Natures . Those Sirens had beautifull Faces , cheerefull Voyces , but dangerous Greetings . There is more belonging to a sincere heart than a promising presence . As the stillest Waters are the deepest ; so fairest Faces wound the deadliest . They are apt to allure ; and happy is that wise Ithacus , that can stop his Eye and Eare.

These came to Phineus Table like beauteous Guests , but pursu'd him like hideous Ghosts . Beauty is a taking baite , ' it can cover Treason with a smile ; but being swallowed , it becomes the Takers baine . But now see how this calamitous Prince receives reliefe , when his miseries crowded thickest : and how these intrusive Guests are expulsed , when his hopes were in despaire , and from expectance of reliefe remotest !

Calaïs , that valiant Sonne of Boreas by Orithia , who with Zethes having Wings , to accelerate their journey , flew to Colchis to helpe the Argonauts : and being in that voyage courteously used of King Phineus , they in recompence drave out of his Countrey those ravening Birds called Harpyes .

Nor wants this Comicall passage his Morall : for hence may we gather , what benefit redounds to such as are hospitable . How those , whom they sometimes harboured for Strangers , become in time of danger their deliverers . This might be confirmed by Holy Writ ; where Angels were received in habit of Strangers : and what succour they ministred to their Harbourers .

Such as these usefully applyed , will afford infinite profit to the Reader : so as , hee may delightfully enlarge himselfe by way of Discourse to any intelligible Hearer .

There be other Birds , who reteine in them an ancient naturall hatred to Beasts , from whom they conceive themselves to have received wrong ; and this their hatred is implacable even to death .

Pleasant Poëticall Fictions of the Enmity of Birds . The Cowshot or Stock-dove cannot endure the Heyfer for that old injury shee suffered before she chang'd her Nest : so as now with an insulting jeere , which she still redoubles in her Note , shee seemingly challengeth her to come unto her : being confident that her Seate is mounted farre above her hate ; so as , shee may now securely domineere , when her airy Nest pleads priviledge against all feare .

Aegithus , in proportion a little Bird , yet of a strong and stout spirit ; being at deadly hatred with the Asse ; for that hee destroyeth her Nest , which for the most part shee builds among the Thistles : in revenge whereof , shee continually vexeth him ( so apprehensive is the least Creature of an injury , and so quicke-sighted in conceiving where shee may requite her injury ) by pecking him on gall'd places of his body .

This Morall may seeme to glance at such ignoble spirits , who , so they may revenge , or expresse the heate of their fury ; will not sticke to exercise it upon the poorest and contemptiblest Creatures : yea , they will pick an offence before it be offered : and play upon their simplicity , by whom they were never much injuried . These will ever leape over the hedge where it is lowest , and make such the prey of their fury , whom they finde most incapable of revenge , or unable to second what their reputation injoynes them to attempt . The like may be said of the Apiaster or Mudwall ; a Bird that beares inveterate hate to the painefull Bee and her Labours . In whose Nature the quality of such persons is covertly shadowed : who , Margites-like , doe no good themselves , but in a profuse Riot consume their fruitlesse Dayes , feeding their Surfeits with others imployments .

In many Frontier-bordering Townes wee shall see this made good by wofull experience . While such industrious people , who , to use the words of Sententious Salust , Sedem Animae in extremis digitis habent ; placing their Soules in their Fingers ends , become a booty to the violence and incursion of their Neighbouring Drones ; who seaze with strong hand ( under pretence of an unsetled peace or expired League ) upon whatsoever their industrious course of living had for divers yeeres deservingly gained and gathered .

There is another sweet-sented Bird , called the Cinnamolge ; one who will build her Nest in no other Wood than Cinnamon . Her onely ambition is a dainty Seat ; very singular in her consort with other Birds ; pleasing to few but to herselfe : and if at any time shee deagne the Forrest that grace as to partake of her melody , Nightingal-like Dat sine mente sonum —

A sweet-sented Courtier properly resembled . A neare Resemblance ( as if sprung from one Stemme ) may this sweet-breath'd Bird seeme to have to our Court-Popinjay ; whose sense most commonly consists in sent. His Action or Gesture is nothing but Cringes ; his Breath an Ayry Complement ; his Rinde ( to make this Cinnamon-Similitude more full ) worth all his body beside .

When Iupiter and Iuno's Wedding was solemnized of old , to make the Solemnity more compleat ; the Gods were all invited to the Feast , and many Noble-men besides . Amongst the rest came Crysalus a Persian Prince , bravely attended , rarely accoutred , rich in Golden Attires , in gay Robes , with a Majesticall Presence , a formall posture , a portly Encounter , but otherwise an Asse . The Gods seeing him come in such pompe and state , rose up to give him place , Ex habitu hominem metientes ; But Iupiter perceiving what hee was , a light , phantastick , idle fellow , turned him and his proud followers into Butterflies : And so they continue still ( for ought I know to the contrary , if the Fiction hold with Verity ) roving about in pied Coats , and are called Chrysalides by the wiser sort of men ; that is , Golden out-sides , Drones , Flies , and things of no worth . What the Poets intended by these Transformations . For the truth of the Fable , we will not stand much on it ; but what the Poets intended by these Transformations , may be easily gathered .

These Silken Gulls , who are onely to be valued by what they weare , not what they are , in this very Morall receive their Censure , They prease into the highest places ; converse with Eminent'st persons ; thrust themselves upon greatest businesse : but fall off still with some palpable disgrace to themselves .

They are not intus fimbriati , and therefore must be Deorum consilijs ablegati . Those who had no Sage in their Pates , were not held fit to be at Councell-Table with the Gods .

There is another Morall too which ariseth naturally from that Cinnamon-nested Bird ; A Countrey-seated Citizen properly Resembled . and without much Criticisme might be applyed to a Pen-feathred Citizen ; who having now ( as hee thinks ) sufficient wealth , h 'as shut up Shop , and bid a due to his Trade . And as one who had taken a surfeit of the City , h 'as built himselfe a new Fishers folly in the Countrey . Nothing but Perspective Glasse , Porphyrite Pillars , Thracian Touch , and Arabian perfumes in every roome . Nothing but Beauty reflects in every corner , except the face of the Owner . Oh , how hee is taken with the delight of his Seate ! The exquisite device of his Building ! His None-such must be admired by such as see it , or hee holds himselfe infinitely wronged . So hee may have his Dwelling-house neatly trimmed , and the house of his Body curiously cockred , he thinks nothing can goe amisse , all things are well ordered .

Petrarch . de Remed. utriusque fort . Meane-time , hee little remembers Petrarchs Counsell ; who adviseth him not to be affraid , though the House of his Body be shaken , so his Soule , the Guest of his Body , fare well .

Many other excellent Moralls might be from this onely Bird extracted , but brevity , the best helpe to memory , makes me omit them .

The constant Love , and amicable League of Birds amongst themselves . I could here inlarge my Discourse in relating the wonderfull Concord of divers Birds among themselves ; as the constant League or Amity of Crowes , who are ever observed to take one part ; the naturall love of Stares : and generally , how Birds of one feather flock together , and are ready to doe mutuall offices one to another . But our Naturall Historians , who have amply writt of this Subject , can sufficiently supply the Reader in this way ; to whom I referre them . I will onely here resolve one question which may be demanded , and it is this : What should the reason be , why all Birds by an in-bred hate pursue the Hawke ; and though they cannot annoy him , yet will they flicker about him ; Why Birds of Rapine are most hated . desiring nothing more , if their powers were to their wills , than to surprize him ? But the Poët h 'as a reply ready in the persons of those Birds , which may fully assoile this question : Wee hate the Hauke , Odimus Accipitrem , quia semper vivit in armis . because of all that are Expos'd to prey , hee ever lives in warre .

For the Owle or Batte , or all such Night-birds , Why Night-Birds are had in pursuite . why they are so had in pursuit , if it chance they come abroad upon day-time , this reason may be given . As they are unsociable and estrange themselves from their company , having onely the priviledge of night , and the Ivy or some other retired shrowd for their Sanctuary ; so they are hooted at by other Birds for their singularity , or for their neglect of civill Society .

In the Beasts of the Forrest this may likewise be observed : the Lyon ( a fierce beast ) of an Heroïcke Nature , contemning the dejected ones , nor caring to feed on Carrion . Hee is of a Majesticke disposition , and hates to be ungratefull for the least benefits received : If the Mouse rid him of base servitude , he will finde time to requite her love one way or other . This may represent the person of a King ( for indeede hee is the King of Beasts ) who scornes to triumph over the subjected , but to tyrannise over the proud .

The Elephant resembles a man prest downe with honour ; Resemblances in Beasts . being once downe , he cannot rise : he is like some great man , who puffed up with the prosperous gales of his fortunes , can finde no knees of allegiance , or submission to either Prince or State ; his joynts are inflexible , and the load of his honour insupportable : once downe , impossible to rise , but by some un-usuall occurrent .

What strange effects of Nature this creature reteineth , may be instanced in this notable story . It is reported by Philippo Pigafetta , a Traveller of approved credit , that hee had seene with his owne eyes a very strange and admirable thing in Coanza , namely , that a young Elephant following his Damme , fell downe by chance into one of those Pit-falls , purposely made by Hunters , to surprise them : and after she could not with all her skill and strength draw him out of it , she buried him therein , and covered him with earth , with branches , and with bowes , insomuch as she filled the Pit up to the top , to the end that the Hunters should not enjoy her Calfe ; choosing rather to kill it her selfe ( with this affectionate kind of interment ) than to leave it to the mercy of the cruell Hunts-men .

The Wolfe ( a State-gormandizer ) preyes upon the innocent , suckes the blood of the Orphane , impaires others meanes to enlarge his owne : cruelty is the habiliment he best liketh , making the State a wilde Forrest for every Savage to live in , but a Shambles for the poore silly Lambkin to suffer in .

The Goate , your wanton and sensuall Amorist , that skips here and there , in every brake of vanity , till so entwined , as the sale of his reputation makes him beg for a good name : but the eyes of Generall Observance are not so dazelled , they have seene his heart , and registred his follies .

The Beare , one that portends by his Birth , Vrsus tanquam Orsus . what he will be : an unhandsome peece of flesh , one that needs licking before hee be brought to fashion : Here 's Natures deformity , charactring by the foulnesse of the body , the filthinesse of his disposition . Tyrants wee have had of this Resemblance , who came the wrong way into the world , to intimate what wrongs they would doe unto the world . But now of tamer Creatures .

The Lambe cannot drinke of a troubled Spring , Severall proprieties resembling severall persons . no more can Innocence .

The Hare ever sleeps with open eyes : so doth good Providence .

The Coney is fruitfull and fearefull : So is Nuptiall Chastity .

The Emmet is in Summer ever fore-seeing a Winter : Such is good Husbandry .

Shall wee proceed in Birds likewise , and examine their Natures ?

The Turtle for Constancy : The Crane for Vigilancy : The Robin expresseth his love to Man : the Nightingall to Women . None more industrious than the Larke , More laborious than the Wren : more odious to her selfe , and others , than the Cuckow : More Heroïck than the Eagle : More base than the Buzzard .

Then observe what secret instincts given to certaine Birds , to prognosticate the events of things .

The Crow , a fore-teller of what Weather will come to passe . The Halcyon or Seamaw , remarkable in prediction of Stormes : and the Swallow , Crane , Vid. Aur. Vict. and many others , exact observers of Seasons .

☞ It is strange , what is observed by the naturall Historian , of the Eagle and Raven ; the one , saith he , knowes when the Carkasse or Carrion shall fall , the other where . Which conceit , howsoever it may be many times erring , yet we shall ever find the Raven first seazed on his prey , Hee recounts sundry other Birds , which reteine in them naturally , infallible Notions of the change & various disposition of Weathers . whensoever any such shall casually fall .

We may observe likewise , diverse Birds who change their note or voice according to the disposition of the weather . Sometimes by their bathing , billing , or such like signes , may be naturally gathered infallible notions of the change and various disposition of weathers .

It is sayd of the Bird Icterus , or as Pliny calls her Galgulus ,

Temporis ad vultum mutat Cornicula vocem .

Temporis ad morem varlat Mustela colorem .

if any man that is sick of the yellow Jandise shall see her , the man shall waxe whole , recover his strength and colour , and by degrees regaine his former vigour , but the Bird shall dye . Some have holden this Bird to be one of the certainest diviners of Weathers , of all others ; whence the Poët : Frondator nimbum , praenuntiat Icterus imbrem . Birds of the Ayre their prophesies retaine , The Pick'tre● boads a storme , the Icterus raine .

Diverse of our Navigators likewise observe , when they are on Sea , sundry incident alterations by the noise of Sea-fowles : and are cautioned by them to make speed for Land , lest a tempest endanger their passage . Of which sort , there are Some , who leave the Sea against a storme , and flye to Firme Land ; remaining there till an Halcyon calme invite them to returne .

There are incredible things reported of the Spinturnix ; a Bird that wont to come to the Altars , where they were sacrificing , and carry away a burning coale as a token of ill lucke , or burning to the house where it alighted .

But these Relations are with more strength of Opinion , then probability or reason confirmed . Howsoever , no doubt but diverse Birds by a secret instinct of nature ( the reason whereof to us is occult ) can prenuntiate the Seasons and dispositions of weathers ; which may appeare by Holy Writ ; that Lydian-stone which can best trie the verity of all Humane assertions .

The Swallow and Crane know their seasons . So as , even that Prophet , who sometimes admonished the people , Ierem. 10 . 2● not to be affraid for the signes of Heaven , hath admitted these conjectural tokens . For the creatures of Heaven and Earth , as they were first ordained for our use ; so by our right use of them , we may improve our own Knowledge ; by making every Creature , a judiciall Epitome of Nature : ever closing with a free and humble acknowledgement of his uncircumscribed Power , by whom they were created ; and of whose goodnesse it is that they may in their severall natures redound to our benefit , being well imployd .

When a certaine religious Brother , who had bestowed much precious time on Contemplation ; Ai divine Contemplation upon Survey had to the lowest of Gods Creatures . and by meanes of a retyred life , to the end secular cares might lesse intangle him , had attained to such a measure of perfection that way , as he eyed nothing whereof he made not some Divine use ; professed one day to One of the same Convent ; That he could never see any Thing , the sight whereof did not in some manner edifie him . Oh , sayd the other , spare a little , good brother ; pray you tell me , wherein can the sight of a Toade edifie you ? Oh very much , quoth he ; for what have I deserved that God should make me a Man and not a Toade ? So that , as often as I see a Toade , so often do I recall this benefit to mind : rendring all due thankes to him , who according to my desert hath not formed me like any such detestable Creature , but hath bestowed on me the most beautifull and royall image of my Maker .

Surely , as I have formerly observed , if our hearts were rightly disposed , by making good use of whatsoever in this inferiour Orbe wee see here created , and as proper Objects to our eies presented ; we should easily confesse , that there is no Creature so small , vile or despicable , which might not be reduced to some image or Embleme of our Life ; seeing , there is none , be it never so poore nor contemptible , which presents not in it selfe the goodnes of God . And so by consideration had of these Temporal and External benefits ( to use the words of a Divine Father ) to gather the greatnesse and immensity of the heavenly counsell . Aug.

Neyther are these Moral applications of Birds and the like , whereon , upon occasion , Scripturae sunt Promptuanum bonorum Documentorum . Basil . Mag. in Psal. 1. we have so amply insisted , to be conceived as uselesse . We shall find the Store-house of all Divine learning , that Sacred untroubled Fountaine of heavenly Knowledge , furnished with Morall similitudes and illustrations of this kind . As the Partrich , Ier. 17.2 . ( sayth the Prophet ) gathereth the young , which she hath not brought forth : so hee that getteth Riches , and not by Right , shall leave them in the midst of his dayes , and at his end shall be a foole .

Sometimes we shall find the tender-hearted Pellican named ; the Turtle , and her affection described ; the obsequious Storke commended ; the Sparrow upon the house-top expressed . Sometimes Fowles addicted to prey , displayed . From which , we may gather excellent matter , not only of magnifying Him by whom they were created , and to their severall offices designed : but even in Humane discourse , we shall find many occasions of inlarging our selves ; by application of the nature and disposition of them . So as , whosoever shall make an usefull observation of these feathred Fowles in the ayre , may find much more dainty Phylosophy in them ; than in these tame Fooles who pride themselves in their feathred vanities on earth .

Other Birds there be that have more humane feeling : Pliny reports , that there bee certaine Birds which howle exceedingly at the Eclypse of the Sunne ; as if naturally moved by some miraculous influence or instinct from heaven , to suffer with a Divine body , so extreamly suffering : Let us descend to Wormes , Serpents , and Creeping things , we shall see in them distinct qualities also .

Natures of Serpents , and of Pagan Adorations . The Serpent Pareas creepeth on his Taile , and with the sharpnesse of his Belly makes a furrow upon the ground where he crawleth .

Strange things be reported of the Serpent Seraphis ,

See the Discourse of Asia , and Affricke , entituled : The Fardell of Fashions

In Aulular .

adored by the Aegyptians as a God : Others there be no lesse different in nature , forme , nourishment , and feature : Some feeding upon raw flesh , intimating their ravenous Natures : Others on fish ( as divers Serpents ) living upon the Banke of the River Nilus : Others on plants , and the fruit of Trees , which Plautus expresseth by the Vine-fretter : Matura Vitis folia Involvolus carpit .

Stell . de Contempt . Mundi . But other creeping creatures there be very beneficiall to Humane society . The Silkeworme , whose labours make our silken Gallants . To that excesse are we come , as our bravery must be maintained by the diligence of the simplest creatures , cloathing our selves with the very bowels of Wormes : Wonderfull is their Generation .

Singula solatia singulis malis obviantia preparavit Deus . August . The Adder in her selfe obnoxious and hurtfull , yet she casts her skinne ( to expresse her good meaning to man ) an excellent cure to many diseases .

The poore Worme , of her selfe , neither greatly harmefull nor profitable , onely ( by a Synonomy betwixt Man and Her ) she is the best Mirrour of humane Glory , an Embleme of our Mortality : and an importunate Guest that will come to banquet on our bodies , though not invited : She is called Vermis ( quasi inermis ) she can but turne againe , that 's all the defensive , or offensive weapon she hath ready .

These silly contemptible cr●atures be especiall Motives to a good man , of Thankfulnesse : The Worme a Motive of Thankfulnes , and the best Character of humane frailty . the example we read in that devout Father Anselme ; who walking one day in his garden , and seeing a poore Worme crawling under his feete , presently applyed this Christian-like use to himselfe .

O Lord , Diversities of Natures in Fishes . thou mightest have made mee like this Worme , contemptible and base , to live in the holes and cavernes of the earth ; But such was thy mercy , as thou wouldest not : bestowing on me thine owne Image , What rare properties are in the Ambizeamatare , or the Fish of the Rock , & what commodious use the people of Congo make of it , may appeare in that Discourse entitled , A R●port of the Kingdome of Congo . fol. 24. that thy similitude might be glorified in mee . A comfortable meditation of a zealous Father , and worthy our observation .

We will now discourse of the skaly Fishes in their kind , that the Majesty and power of God ( by giving such diversity of Natures to Fishes ) may appeare in the Depths , as before it was manifestly expressed upon the earth , and all dry places . Here is a Tyrannicke power even in the Ocean , and an absolute government without restraint of power : Here is a Musicall concordancy likewise ; a Diapason of Sea-inhabitants . The Dolphin playing a soft straine , resembling a Meane : Iulis ; vide Plinium ; quam tenacem piscem appellat , &c. the Sturgeon ( swimming against the Streame ) sharpens her Note , more neare a Treble : the Iulis a smooth Counter-tenor , and the rowling Porpoise the Base .

Contention amongst Fishes . Here is great enmity ( likewise ) for predominancy : And that amongst the greatest , the Orcke with the Whale : The Cuttell with the Thòrne-backe ; the Sea-horse with the Sea-vrchin : Many rare vertues in little creatures : with what strangenesse the Remora ( a fish of small bignesse ) holds a Shippe , when in her full Saile ? How wonderfully the Torpedo delivers her-selfe , being taken by the unhappy Fisher ? disgorging her owne bowels , to stupefie the Taker with an uncoth amazement .

☞ Againe , to observe the ravenous disposition of the Pike ; The different natures of Fishes ; & wherein properly they allude to Man . the sociable condition of the Trout ; the various discolouring of the Polypus ; the strong digestion of the Porpoise : would beget in these curious Surveyors of nature , much admiration . And then to compare the natures of these water-inhabitants with our selves , who follow , for most part , the bent of our desires , as if we were estranged from that beauty which incomparably most adornes us ; and drenched in the leas of our owne corruptions , which makes man most unlike himselfe ; by idolatrizing that which gives the greatest blemish to his Excellence .

Emblemes are devices no lesse usefull then delightfull , to present Man best to himselfe : and to taxe him too by way of shadowing , what ( perchance ) he would be loath to endure in a freer manner of expression .

For tell me , how should any of our Grand-oppressours , who make their Inferiours their sponges : fatning themselves with violence ; and spinning to themselves an estate out of others bowels : how should these , I say , read of the ravenous disposition of the Pike , and not reflect upon themselves ? They find his nature to be such , that all is fish that comes to his net . He admits no dispensation ; if his power may surprize him ; he becomes his prey . Affinity , Consanguinity , all respects of civil Society must be excluded : his wil is his Law ; and he must suffer that dare oppose it .

This might strike a glowing blush in our hunting Nimrods ; who , so they may seaze on their prey , and make innocence the object of their fury ; neyther care for Heaven nor Hell . Judgements cannot startle them ; because they are yet insensible of them . Compassion cannot supple them ; for that is such a stranger , as of all other Pilgrims they never gave her harbour . Nay , humanity beares so little sway with them ; as they scorne to incline to ought that may civilize them .

It is sayd , that Pictures convey deepest impressures ; and that many have blushed in the perusall of some Emblemes , by eying in them their owne natures . I could wish that these , who have ingaged themselves to oppression , and made injury their Darling , to looke upon the Lucius : who takes his name from his quick-discerning sight ; but imployes it to an indirect end . They shall finde themselves charactred in his Life : and read such qualities in him , as Humanity cannot chuse but loath . That cautious Impresse about his Embleme may serve too for an usefull direction : " Id facere laus est , quod decet , no quod licet .

Then to note that sociable Affability of the Trout , cannot but beget singular effects in sweete and well-tempered dispositions . This may be an Embleme to all such who affect nothing more than Concord : Litigious Suiters , who cramme Seates of Judicature with fat fees : who will doe no right , nor take wrong ; who feed themselves with Contention ; and have ever an Oare in that Boat which is imbarked in Waters of Division ; are all Antipodes to this Embleme .

Marcus Caelius was said to have a good right hand , but an ill left hand , because he could plead against a man better than for him . But these are no such Agents : These will either doe good , or doe nothing . As they affect peace ; so every particular action of theirs merits praise . These desire not to swell great , by the Consumption of Others : nor disperse their well-grounded Fame on a disadvantageous Warre : They ever reteine their place , and impale it with this Impresse of Peace : " Pax una Triumphis innumeris potior —

Then goe to your Machiavell Statist , that changeable-colour'd Polypus . One , who can walke in a Cloud ; and disguise dangerous plots with vertuous pretences . Here you shall finde nothing unliker a mans selfe than himselfe . He flies with the Lapwing , farre from his Nest , that he might be more ●ecure : and more easie it were to finde that incredible Stone in the Lapwings Nest , than to retrive the secrecy of his Aymes . Though the Polypefish be various in Colours ; and in nothing more mutable than her owne Feature : This politick Masker can vye with him in various projects : being such a faithfull Secretary to himselfe , as he scornes to have any his Intelligencer : or to discover himselfe otherwise to the World , than by pretending what is the least of his meaning . And now he is come to that height of perfection , ( if wee may safely bestow such a Title on dissembling ) as he is jealous of Others trust : nor dare scarcely beleeve himselfe , while hee conferres privately with his owne Breast . In a word , so unequally paraleld is his outward disguise , and inward conceit , as his Dissembling h'as begot in him , and deriv'd to us this impressive Caution : — " Quod non es , ne videare cave .

Now , for the strong-digesting Porpoise : that naturall Description ( for it shadows not onely the outward Constitution ) implies the quality of such persons ; as can connive at injuries received : can suffer with an equall temper , whatsoever the iniquity of Time , or inclemency of Fate shall or may inflict . Others , while they exclaime against Destiny , & teare the Clouds with no lesse fruitlesse than godlesse Imprecations : These with a resolved silence , and habituate patience , can digest all indignities : laugh at the Braves of Fortune : and with a composed spirit crowne their Sufferings with this expression : " Patior potiorque vicissim .

The Acipenser , or which Pliny calls , Sacer piscis , feeds on nothing but Mans flesh , implying a caveat to Man : that having so many Enemies even on Earth , and not free from them in the Depth , should not spend his time in security , but prevent the enmity of all creatures by a diligent and vigilant care to himselfe . Long could I protract this discourse , but two materiall parts of this Relation with-hold me from insisting longer : The first whereof first offering themselves , be Plants and Vegetative Bodies .

The wisest of all Kings was much conversant in these Studies , The Study of Kings in Plants , Hearbs & Fruits , &c. knowing every Tree , every Hearbe , and every flower : à Cedro Libanon , usque ad Hysopum supra parietem : An excellent Commendation in a King ; not addicting his minde to other things than the purchase of Knowledge , even in inferiour things : that a generality of knowing , might make him worthy of governing .

Probus the Roman Emperour , who succeeded Florianus in the Empire , was much addicted to Planting , and distinguishing the Natures of Flowers , the vertues of Plants , with proper observances accommodated for the knowledge of all Seasons , apt for Grafting , Stilling , and the like : Planting the Mountaine Almus sited neare Syrmius , and the Mount Aureus in Maesia the Higher , with Vines .

The like we read of Galerius Maximinus , Surnamed Armentarius ; and many others of the Romans , whose diligence was much imployed in such pleasant affaires .

Resemblances in these vegetative Bodies , To what especiall Resemblances these Trees be accōmodate . require observance ; to see the Vine like a fruitfull Mother of many faire Children , sending out her ripened clusters , faire blossoming Sprigs , and infinite store of pretty Slippes , imitating their Mothers fruitfulnesse , and bending with her owne Burden , as not able to support her selfe without some stay or upholder : The pittifull Elme stretcheth her armes out to beare her up , in pure compassion moved to helpe her , that in her selfe and fruitfull Issue , was so helpfull unto others . Whence , some have resembled the Vine and the Elme to the Church and Common-weale ; whose office it is to support the Church when distressed , as the Elme succours the Vine when surcharged .

The Vine seemes sometime to weepe ( for teares indeed shee sheds ) as if in Throwes and paine of her Labour : These teares distilling from the Vine cure the Leprosie : Plinius . So as she seemes both Fruitfull and Soveraigne , yeelding no lesse comfort in her teares , than verdure in her sprayes .

Many of these teare-shedding Trees there be , Teare-shedding Trees . as the Myrrh-dropping Amber , and the Rosined Fyrrh : These by allusion may seeme to commiserate our unhappy states , subjected to myriads of anxieties , by the taste of one Tree , whose dismall fruit made us wretched .

Some Trees we have for harbour and shadow onely , resembling our dissembling professours ; whose externall appearance makes great show of a fruitfull inside , when nothing , save a meere naked pretence of Piety , remaines in them .

Others for fruit , without any store of blossomes ; and such be they as desire rather to be good , than so accounted .

Buxus amatori languere simillima visa est , pallor in est illi , pallet & omnis amans . Alciat . Some Trees pine away , as if surprized with an amorous passion , exemplified in the Boxe : Others shew by their freshnesse , to whom they are consecrate , as the Myrtle .

Some lose not their colour in Winter , like the patient man , who beleagred with the worst of fortunes oppositions , never changeth countenance for the matter ; but like that Venetian Motto writ in Triumph : Nec fluctu nec flatu movetur . Others not subject to any hurt by thunder , A resemblance of Odours , Flowers , and other Beauties to the inward Graces & Ornaments of the minde . as the Bayes : resemble the sincere conscience , not discomfitted with any assault , or dismayed with any terrour .

Sweet Odours , Flowers , and all other Beauties strowed upon this artificiall Carpet , garnish the earth , as the internal vertues inhabiting the mind , doe the Soule : This discourse more concerning the Herbist , than Historian , makes me more briefe in the handling hereof .

☞ Hee amplifies this Discourse of Plants , Hearbs , and Fruites . Yet in regard of that precious resemblance which they reteine ( as all our Moralists have well observed ) to our inward beauty , I chuse the rather to insist a little ampler of them , by an apt comparison or paralell betwixt them and such dispositions as they resemble . For the greatest benefit that may any way redound to man , is seriously to read man : That Palme-tree in Congo is usefull in both : nay , plenteous in affording al commodities , as if it contested in quality with the Melt of Mexico : For it yeeldeth Oyle , Wine , Vinegar , Fruit & b●ead . The oyle is made of the shale of the fruite . The Bread is made of the stone of the fruit . The Wire is drawn from the top of the tree , by making a hole therein , from whence distilleth a lyquor like milke , which at the first is sweete , but afterwards sower , and in processe of time becommeth very vinegar , to serve for Sallets . and in the Survey of inferiour Creatures , to collect wherein any of these may seeme to read a Lecture to Man ; wherein soever he comes either short or over of what is required of him . This that wise Democritus observed in the dissection of his Anatomies : and this should wee in our very Walkes and Recreations abroad usually practice : so may the application of them to our selves , infinitely improve us .

In our tracing and traversing the Forrest ; wee shall there finde some Trees for shade , but barren of fruite : Others lesse usefull for shade , but plenteous in fruit .

Our Sanctimonious-seeming Non-Conformatist reteines an apparant resemblance of the one : our Sincere Professour of the other .

A goodly beauteous Shadow to delude vulgar eyes , sufficeth the former : but shadowes are reduc'd to substantiall fruites by the latter .

These Historicall Relations may ( likewise ) point at painted friendshippe . Where many , in their Airy professions will not stick to promise golden Mountaines : but their performance ( the essentiall fruite or effect of promise ) dyes alwayes in the Socket ; the snuffe of that vaporous Complement expires and dyes .

Friendship ( sayth the Stagyrian ) is one soule which ruleth two hearts ; and one heart which dwelleth in two bodies . Hearts then must not be ruled by shadowes . Congies , Cringes , Curtsies and Formalities may delude , and imparadize an unexperienc'd Novice : These , I say , may transport our youngling , who never knew what dissembling meant : nor could ever yet distinguish betwixt fruite and shade , Essence and Semblance : but those , who are experimentally vers'd in the World , easily decline from such Snares . For Circumspection hath taught them such a Lesson , as they have learned to season Amity with Salt : and introduce acquaintance by experience ; least their too easie intimacy beget repentance .

Plutarch reporteth that Plato came forth of Asia into Cilicia for no other cause but only to see his deare friend Phocion the Philosopher .

Such a visit begot an amicable benefit , a Philosophicall improvement . These enterviewes were not like that of Alcmaeons to Craesus : his regreet was to receive gold : a sordid ayme ! when Vertue is the prize which should onely be in chace . Guilded shadowes merit approvement , but by whom ? By Fooles of the Time . But no true amity can be derived from these ; no more then fruits from shadowes . This resemblance then holds to life , both in flower and fruit .

A Iuniper tree maketh the hotest coale , and the coolest shadow of any Tree . The coale is so hot , Fabiolae Mans . 15. that if it be rak't up in ashes of the same , it continueth unextinguished by the space of a whole yeare .

Here is the Embleme of an incomparable disposition ; Comment. in 1. Reg: c. 1. here is both he●te to refresh an afflicted friend , when with adversity benummed : and shadow to solace him , when with the grandeur of businesse surcharged . Here is warmth to allay cold : and coolenesse too , to attemper heate .

Peter Martyr sheweth , that cloathing doth keep the body warme two wayes : by keeping in the natural heat of the body : and by keeping out the accidentall cold of the aire .

Sure I am such a friendship as is here described , and by the sweet-sented Embleme of the Iuniper , shadowed , may be for all seasons equally accommodated : an excellent garment , being fitted both for Cover and Ornament .

Now the Sycamore is of an other nature : though it afford a spreading shade , it reteines no such native heat : it delights the eye , but relisheth not the taste . And this discovers our large professing friends in Folio ; who are ample enough in protests : but all they bestow upon us in the end , are but scattred Leafes : they are rich in shade , but rare in fruit .

Who can passe by the Winter-flourishing Cypresse , but must paralell that Tree with an Heroïcke resemblance ?

Cupressus nobilis Emblema militis .

Fates nor Furies cannot amate him : no enemy so powerfull , nor danger so mortall , as can detract from his Spirit ; or weaken his courage . He hates no Fury more then feare : nor entertaines ought with a more resolved temper , then the extreamest oppositions of fortune ; holding it the highest degree of happinesse to expire with honour .

I could here inlarge this Discourse with sundry instances of this kind : but I must leape from this branch , and descend to a subject lower in respect of site : but nothing inferiour in delight : being commodiously applied , it is compendiously compiled .

Of precious Stones . For Stones , and all kinds of Minerals , it is a knowledge worthy Gentlemen : wherein I may likewise comprehend the ancient knowledge of Coines , in what Emperours time , and their severall inscriptions .

Iulius Caesarem spe Margaritarum , Britanniam pet●ysse . We read how Iulius Caesar came into Brittany in hope to finde Pearles ; though Caligula's trafficke seemed lesse worthy , commanding his Souldiers to gather Cockle-shels .

It is a very generous quality ( and sometimes he shall be put to his judgement ) to distinguish rightly and exactly of Saphires , Emeralds , Diamonds , &c. This requires exact judgement , lustres may be given to Glasse , as well as Diamonds : Adulterate Gemmes passe current with our Novice : The Silver-Smiths of Ephesus have instructed this Age sufficiently , and fraud must be incorporate to every Profession .

If these Gems , I talke of , were ornaments of the Mind ; I should desire longer to insist upon them : but being ( as these times use them ) rather foments to ensnare and entrappe , than attractive motives to affect ; according to their Native properties , being ordained as resemblances of vertues ; I will not dilate of their values , but only of their power , more pertinent to my Discourse , and better according with my knowledge ; who Aeschylus-like , have long time drawne Water out of anothers Cesterne , but never filled mine owne Bucket .

Many excellent vertues of Stones , The vertues of Stones described . doth Pliny in his Naturall History set downe unto us : As some have power to frustrate the effect of poison : Others very powerfull against the operations of Magick Spels , Witch-craft , and the like . But as a Judicious Commentary writes of him : Multa scribit , quae meherculè vera non existimanda sunt : Yet to stand in suspence with us ( for the reverence of such a learned Author ) because their effects have not beene as yet tryed of us .

Many things ( I confesse ) seeme by all probability like the Amalga , to have more Moone than Sunne in them : But the experiments which wee have in some , makes us more credulous in others .

The Diamond ( whose Character is not to bee razed ) resembles the pure impressions of vertue we have received ,

The patient man like the Stone Golasia ; Hard as the Diamond , cold like Ice , not to be fired .

Or the Stone A●●zantus , once on fire will never goe out .

and which is traduced to us , by the intellectuall eye of the soule , which in no case should be razed or abolished in us , but to be augmented with a greater increase of vertues : It resembles also the truely Charitable man , that to doe good to others , impaires his owne fortunes : For the best Motto that ever was made of the Diamond , was this : Dum formo , minuo .

Strange effects in stones . The stone Mithax ( saith Pliny ) is of a perfect colour , till opposed to the Sunne , and then it loseth his colour : It allude●h to many of our painted Sepulchers , ●u● She-puppets : none more cleare , or amiably-coloured then they , till the Sunne glitter on them , and their slightly-laid-on varnish , presently then dissolveth : Quantum mutatur ab illa ? True Sodoms Apples , no sooner touched , then to dust and corruption turned .

Topaz , her opposite ( in Native vertue ) shineth most in the thickest darknesse : The very Idaea of Vertue her selfe : The Clouds cannot interpose themselves betwixt her , Allusions of certaine stones to internall Gra●es . and her Native lustre : The Glo-worme glisters not more by night , then it doth in obscurity : A pretious stone fittest for these times , and an or●ament wel-beseeming the greatest Person●ge : for the cloud of Errour should not be able to obscure their thoughts , ever bending their course to the marke of honour .

☞ The precious stone Diocletes , Resemblances of pretious stones to those choice vertues which should appeare in man : with their distinct properties or effects . though it have many rare and excellent soveraignties in it , yet it looseth them all , if it be put in a dead Mans mouth . Wherein One makes a proper resemblance to Prayer ; which is the only Pearle and Jewell of a Christian : though it have many rare and exquisite vertues in it , yet it loseth them every one , if it be put into a Mans mouth , or into a Mans heart either , that is dead in sin , and doth not knocke with a pure hand .

What soveraigne power the Echites is sayd to reteine in repelling the poison and rebaiting the sting of the Viper ! What secret vertue lyes hid in the Dionysias in staying blood ; as in others of effusing blood !

Our naturall Historians make mention of a certaine stone found in the Lapwings nest ; Lapillum varlegati coloris in nido vpubae invenies , cuius occultâ virtute , mulli visus omnia videas , nulli notus omnia detegas . the incredible occult vertue whereof is such , that the Party who beares it about him , shal by the power thereof make all things visible to him , yet he visible to none ; discovering all things without discovery : disclosing others with a personal secrecy .

No doubt but Gyges Ring had some relation to this stone ; to whom Candaules , that doating King , shewed his wife naked : which indiscreete part rest him of Kingdome , Wife , and Life . For the Queene being grieved thereat , to have any strange Eye so familiarly knowne to the secrecy of her beauty ; which even in n●tive Modesty , exacted a vaile to priviledge it from such an open discovery , caused Gyges , upon the tender of her Princely affection , to slay the King ; to take up●n him the Kingdome , and to take her t● his wife . This Gyges had a Ring ( as Divine Plato reporteth ) that had vertue to make him go invisible .

They that looked upon Sylla's Ring , Plut. in vit. Syl. could not choose but take notice both of Sylla's Seale and the Treason of Iugurth , because that was graven on the Seale . Excellent Morals are shadowed in these : and such as usefully applied , may redound highly to the appliers benefit .

Strange effects are reported of the Calazia ( by the Testimony of Hesych . ) a stone of precious vertue , having in it spotslike unto Haile . Soveraigne , as may be collected by what our Historians have writ of it , to cure any burne or inflammation . So as , this might well reteine that divine Hieroglyphick of one Cardinall Vertue , Temperance . If heate of affection transport us ; any unbounded passion surprise us ; the spirit of vaine-glory inflame us , that we cannot take our naturall rest with Themistocles , for his ambitious emulation after Miltiades : or finde that ravenous appetite ever raging , ranging and reigning in us , which sometimes accompanied that gluttonous Cambletes : or to satisfie our unconfined desires with the Delicacies of Earth , as if it were on Earth to satisfie Man , with licentious Lucullus : or to plot new devices how to innovate in a distemper'd State with Sertorius : or to enrich our Coffers by others ruines , and milch the State with our Oppressions , like another Acilius . If these , or any of these distempers seaze upon us , that Calazia of Temperance ( for so is that Stone properly resembled ) will moderate them in us : by reducing us to that Resemblance we had lost ; and moulding in us that Effigies which we are above all others to love . For as nothing can be happily atchieved , or gracefully performed , unlesse it be seasonably acted : so no Vertue may properly reteine that Style , unlesse it be by Temperance seasoned .

The Pyropus , what beauty and vertue it holds ; all our Naturalists have amply discoursed . No Subject , be it never of so cold nor freezing a nature , can alter his temper . This Stone ever reteines his heate ; so as , it may be properly compared to the temper of such a composed minde ; who stands resolved against all the affronts or insults of Fortune . No palsey-feare can amate him ; no distemper alter him . With the heate of his owne Nature hee knowes how to thaw all those icy congelations , which proceed from a weake or pusillanimous spirit . Such an Ones blood flies not from his heart to his face ; but from his face to his heart . For though his outward visible part expresse a pallid feare ; his heart scornes to give harbour to such a Traytor .

He findes nothing so weake as that despicable minde ; who Protheus-like , changeth his heart with the habit of the Time ; and desires to comply with Greatnesse , and to fawne on silken Vice ; vowing it , as one strucke amaz'd with the splendor of it , to be all vertuous . Much otherwise affected is his spirit , who like the unquenchable Pyropus , smiles at nothing more than the indignities of Fortune : and esteemes nothing lesse , than vicious Greatnesse . And if it chance at any time ( as such Occurrents are every where obvious ) that a base-creeping spirit , who relyed more on the shelter of Greatnesse , than Honour of Goodnesse , perish in his hopes , and dye in the straw : This tickles his honest Lungs with laughing Democritus ; closing his Observation with this Poëticall Ayre : This 't is to build upon a Great mans word , And foole himselfe with following of a Lord . The Parius lapis or Touch-stone , Some , and that not improperly , have compared to affliction : It is this that trieth Man whether he be true-Touch or no. This confirmes that golden Sentence of a devout Man : We are unknowne to our selves , till affliction lye us open to our selves .

We shall observe many , whose outward tincture promiseth nothing-lesse then the purest colour of Heraldry , prove Copper in the touch . All is not gold that glisters .

Outward apparances are shady fallacies . The habit displayes not the Heart ; nor the outward Semblance the inward disposition of the Mind .

Cicero sayd of Galba's leaden and lumpish body : His wit had an ill lodging ; which may be truly applied to all these dissembling pretenders : such promising Leafes are ill bestowed on such barren Trees . Shadowes , though they hold a concomitance with Substance ; yet are they never really the same . That man only deserves so noble a style , who imbraceth faith and fealty , intertaineth love and loyalty , improveth his courage and constancy amidst all encounters : yea , when the extreamest beleaguers and assaults of Fortune have done their worst , remaines ever true-touch . How Mahomet the first deluded his credulous posterity , with an opinion of miraculous Sanctity , in that very Monument which hee had caused to be erected in his Memory .

In the discourse of the Ceremonies of Mecha , we shall find a rare device there recommended to our view , in the perpendicular placing of that Sepulchre of Mahomet : Meerely contrived by that cunning Projector to delude the Mahometans , by making them beleeve that to be a miraculous Object , which to more approoved and refined judgements appeared only a native experiment . Those that write of that Subject , describe it thus : There is an Adamant placed in the Roofe above , and a Magnet fixed in the pavement by an equall or direct line below ; now , the Sepulchre of Mahomet made of solid iron , hangs in a Diametrall manner betwixt these two : without stay or supportance of either . This begot in those bewitched people a wonderfull amazement , honouring that Monument with their yearely Processionall visits ; offring rich presents to that Mahometan shrine : never understanding those occult vertues of the two Stones fixed above and below ; who , by their naturall opposition and enmity ( as one maligning the others attractive quality ) would not suffer that heavy ponderous body either to ascend or descend ; but to reteine an equall site or location betwixt them both . This it was that confirmed these Mahometans in the strength of a deluded opinion , that their Mahomet was a great and powerful Prophet , shewing such high proofes and demonstrances of his extraordinary abilities living ; and leaving such a Miracle for all posterity to admire in his departing .

But to leave their effects , and returne to their Emblemes : The Adamant is compared to One that is truely-affectionate ; ever bearing this peculiar Impresse : " Si me amas , mihi Adamas .

Rare Experiments have our ancient Professants made of the Aspilates ; a Stone , according to the Testimony of Democritus , of a fiery colour , got in Arabia , and found in a certaine kind of Birds Nest . He reporteth , that this Stone being tyed with a Camels haire to any one troubled with the Spleane , it will cure him .

Diodorus relateth of a kind of Salt , called Ammonick , and found in Affrick under Sand ; when the Moone groweth toward the full ; it is like Stone-allumne , and is medicinable in dissolving and purging of Fleagme .

Pliny likewise reports strange things of the Ammonis Cornu ; being a precious Stone of the colour of Gold , representing the shape of a Rammes Horne ; of a powerfull quality in causing true Dreames . ☞ But many of these , I must freely confesse , like the Amalga , have farre more Moone than Sunne in them ; being many times related , rather to beget admiration , than gaine credit : Albeit , wee are not altogether to distrust them , unlesse our owne Experience had found the contrary to evince them . Howsoever , sure I am , their Resemblances give an excellent grace and beauty to any discourse , whether Morall or Divine .

There is a Crowne , ( saith St. Peter ) that is undefiled , which never fadeth away . The Greeke words , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which St. Peter useth , are Latine words also : and they are not onely Appellatives , being Epithetes of this Crowne , but also Propers ; the one the proper name of a Stone , the other of a Flower . Isidorus ●temoleg . li. 16. ca. 4. For Isidore writeth , there is a precious Stone called Amiantus ; which , though it be never so much soyled , yet it can never at all be blemished : and being cast into the Fire , it is taken out still more bright and cleane .

Also Clement writeth , Clemens Alexandr . Pedagog . li. 1. ca. 8. that there is a Flower called Amarantus , which being of a long time hung up in the House , yet it is still fresh and greene . To both which , the Stone and the Flower , the Apostle , as I am perswaded , alludeth in that place .

To recount the vertues of all , were a superfluous Taske ; for so should I make a Collection meerely of what hath beene written before , I only set downe with my selfe , to extract the speciallest , Vid. Isidor . Disescorid . Martian . and to make resemblances of them with the Native proportions of such things as are most usuall objects to our outward sences . I will briefly touch the admirable devices of Minerals , and so proceed to my intended Discourse .

Mines the lower layd , the better : O. Minerals . in them wee disbowell ( as it were ) Nature of her hidden treasures ; yet the Earth , like a kind and bountifull Mother , willingly unrips her owne breast , to enrich her Children ; the divers veines , and cordons which we find there , like hidden or concealed streames , having filled up their Treasure-channels ( because so long time unemptied ) minister store of all Mettals unto their Digger .

Caesar in his Commentaries , seemes greatly to have delighted herein , having so quickly found out with what sorts of Mettals , these Brittaine coasts most abounded : Some we have of these Mineralists that by the superficies of the Earth , can judge , what kinde of Mettall best agre●s with that Soyle ; and without piercing the ground ( can prettily well ) presage the event of their labour : Their Studies deserve cherishing , being grounded on honest foundations , and such as have much benefited their Countrey by their industry .

The North-part famous for Copper-worke , by their labour and industry yeelding no small benefit to their Countrey . Which works , though of late yeeres discontinued , are now with much improvement and honour to the under-takers , revived . The North-part in their Copper-workes most laborious , merit their share of Commendations ; both profiting themselves , and yeelding an ample gaine to the Kings Revenewes out of their Labours . The most precious Mines have beene ever found out in Regions least inhabited , and where the Inhabitants could make little or no use of so large a bounty of Nature , as to this day among the Indians ; men that would exchange their preciousest things for trifles : like Aesops Cock , preferring a Barley-corne before a Pearle .

Yet in these labours ( in themselves prayse-worthy ) I altogether disallow such ( of which our reading ministers too many examples ) that have digged the Sepulchres of the dead , to find some hidden Treasure buried with them . A sharpe Law was enacted ( for this end ) amongst the Aegyptians , ( which Nation used to interre their chiefe Jewels with the dead party ) that whosoever should violate the sacred rites of the dead , by digging up their Treasures inchested with them , should be buried quicke .

A pretty Caution for a Miser . A pretty story to this purpose is recorded of Semyramis , that valiant Queene of Assyria ; who before her death , commaunded that a faire Monument should be erected over her , upon which should be engraven this Inscription : Whosoever shall digge up this stone , let him but looke under it , and he shall finde an infinite masse of treasure . Cyrus having conquered that people , chanced to come where that curious monument was erected ; and seeing this Inscription upon it , presently commaunded the Stone to be taken up ; which being done accordingly , he found no Treasure , but this caution of better value then all Treasures : None but Fooles and Misers would digge up the bones of the dead . A reward well fitting the miserable desire of an insatiate Mind .

I might annexe to this Discourse , the excellent study of Antiquities , and speake in part of them ; But our coast is freighted with such elaborate Antiquaries , as the digression might seeme lesse necessary . Through all the body of this Discourse ( including Physicall Relations ) I have but shadowed the chiefest , without entention to intreate of every particular , using Valerius Maximus words : Quis omnis aevi gesta modico voluminum numero comprehenderit ? I will descend to Mixt Histories , which was the last branch of my division .

MIxt Histories Mixt Histories . are composed , or compounded of all those thre● , of which we have sufficiently entreated before . Variety of subjects best agree with the frame of these Writings : They expresse to the quicke , not only what was done Discursively , but what should have beene done Morally , Mixt Histories composed of all kinds . and deriving the event from probable causes , arising from nature , they conclude their Discourse , making it Universall . Some have stiled these Miscellanea , because a commixture of all affaires ; they playing the Morall Philosopher aswell as Historian ; comprehend all which the other could any way seeme to entreate of ; being the abridgement of all Relations , and in themselves sufficient to produce incredible effects : they require especiall Reading , ripe Judgement , and an apt Disposition withall to make their members , so diversly hanging , unite in one maine body .

And to descend now to a commendation of Mixt Histories ; with instances of sundry Historians both Ancient and Moderne , who have bin usefully vers'd therein . ☞ The Cōmendation of Mixt Histories ; with Instances of sundry Historians both Ancient and Moderne , who have beene usefully vers'd therein . There be none in my opinion , who better deserve the Palme in Subjects of this nature , then those ever-living Labours of Thuano's , Surius , with that excellently composed History of Paulus Iovius . And for a continued Allegory , never Relation deserved more approbation , both for Style and State , then Barclei's Argenes . An History , which puts on the face of things really done ; yet meerely shadowing Persons of State , under borrowed names : Expressing his owne aymes in such an implicit , but pleasing manner , that this Isle ( since such Assayes must of necessity be attempted ) might have esteemed herselfe highly happy , in affording him a deserving Translator ; or according to his own thoughts , a faithful Interpretor .

Histories of this nature ( as I have else where observed ) doe not onely make relation of what is actually done ; but insert such personall applications , as may benefit the understanding Reader ; by making use of exploits done , and applying the use of what was formerly done , to succeeding times . Others harmes make us beware of incurring the like . Where Reading of men , and taking a punctuall Survey or Examen of their actions , we become many times wiser , than if we had beene wholly vers'd in reading of Bookes . It was a witty saying of an outwardly-contemplative man , Relegentur libri , relegantur viri . Lay aside Bookes , and take your selves to reading of Men. So long as the World is a Theatre , Man must needes be an Actor . The Booke-holder stands in the Tyring-house ; but the Action must be presented on the Stage . This , those excellent Historians , singularly expressed , and to life portrayed ; when they made not onely mention of what was done , but the natures of those persons interessed in what was done .

Heere they describe fiery-furious Spirits , more ready to attempt than advise : Action in these ever goes before resolution . Contrariwise , others of a slower but safer temper , consider of the end and issue , before they will attempt . No glowing spirit of ambition ; no transportancy of vaine-glory can lessen their discretion . Their actions are rightly measured , because advise and deliberation are their Counsellours of State . This might be instanced in a fore-slowing Fabius , and a forward Cethegus ; a precipitate Cleon , and a prepared Bracidas .

Now , in Discourses of this kind , there is a singular observation which I must necessarily recommend to all our Gentlemen who affect the reading of History ; A singular observation recommended to Gentlemen in their reading of History . and this I have culled from that Father of all Historians , Plutarch himselfe . Plutarchs paraleling of Princes , highly commended . Who , as he describes the Lives of such Princes or eminent Personages as he takes occasion to treat of ; so he likewise paralels or compares their actions and dispositions one with another . Here he shewes what exploits such a person did ; how he bore himselfe in the passage of them ; how he came off with honour ; how he moderated his affections in the atchievement of a victory ; how he behaved himselfe to those he conquered ; how he spared most , where he might most have spoyled . Here hee instanceth some more able to get a victory , than skilfull to use it : others wise enough in making use of it , having once obtained it . Some made happy by suffering misery : others miserable in never partaking infelicity . Some constant friends , but inconstant foes : others constant foes , but uncertaine friends . Some apter to perswade , than personally to performe : Others had all their Rhetorick plac'd in action : Their Oratory was a Martiall Summons : yet what they wanted in discourse to bring on their Souldiers ; they supplyed in boldnesse of adventures : exposing their persons to all dangers . Some stout enough of spirit , while their bodies were weake ; but weake in spirit when their bodies grew strong . To confirme this , hee reports that Antigonus had in his army a valiant Souldier ; but of a sickly body : Antigonus observing his valour ; and grieving that so stout a resolution should bee seconded by so weake a constitution , procured his Physitians to take him in hand ; and he was healed . Now being sound , he beganne to fight in some feare ; to keepe himselfe a good distance from danger , no more venturing into the vanne or forlorne place of the battell . Antigonus noting , and wondering at this alteration , asked him the cause of this new cowardise . He answers , O Antigonus , thou art the cause . Before I ventured nothing but a diseased Corpes , and then I choose rather to dye quickly , then to live sickly : I invited death to doe me a kindnesse . Now it is otherwise with me , for I have somewhat to lose .

Such delightfull passages as these , shall we every where finde interveined in these mixt Discourses .

I approve of Salusts opinion : Ex ijs Negotijs quae ingenio exercentur , in primis magno usu est memoria rerum gestarum . Yet of all those Records , none in themselves more eminent , because none more elaborate than mixt Histories : they contract in one leafe ( as it were ) what a whole Volume could scarcely comprehend . These require a generall kn●wledge , & extend further than all the rest . There must be a generall knowledge in these discourses , making a wel●-composed body of many scattered limbes , gathered from the Relickes , or ashes of their deceased Authors . For as a good Limner wil not see any blemish in his portraiture ; but ( ere he hang it out ) will desire to make every part and proportion in a kinde of correspondency , to move a more deepe impression in the beholder : So should there be an equall correspondency in these kinde of Histories , letting no discourse passe ( if of consequence ) without a mixture of both Morall , and Physicall reasons ; lest one little blemish ( one omission of either ) should be a disparage to the whole . Here Antomedon-like , he should set out vertues Table , making his life a Globe of Precepts : There , like an excellent Naturallist , he should dilate upon the natures of things , or probable reasons ( as as I said before ) derived from Nature . The master-piece ( like the warpe in the webbe ) is Discourse : for these Butteresses , without a maine foundation , would soone decay .

Wits compared to Soiles : some naturally fruitfull , without forcing : others , without continuall labour and tillage , will bring forth nothing but tares ( or the Husband-mans teares . ) Some fit for Barley , others for Wheat , Oates , or the like : and some most apt for Missellane . A judicious distinguishing of wits . So in wits , some naturally ripe and forward ; others require a more deliberate dispatch : the one more present , the other more solid . Pregnant and ripe wits are not so good ; they are like a Rasor keene & sharpe , but his edge is soone rebated . One compared them , & not unfitly , to soft wood , ready to receive any impression from the Limner ; but for warping , is unable to keepe ; and therefore not fit for any worthy or curious portraiture . Such wits are these , which be rather apt for invention , than judicious scanning of any Authors : they can invent , better than extract ; and consequently unfit for these mixed Discourses whereof we now entreate .

Exquisite Labour is the producer of these Histories ; which ( for the most part ) is intollerable to your sharpest wits ; being rather for the present , than any serious deliberation .

Salust in his Iugurthine Warre , Example of mixt Histories includes a pretty commixture of Histories ; as if hee had intended to make a President for Relations of this kind , where he brings in Micipsa upon his death-bed , speaking to his sonnes : Equidem ego regnum vobis trado firmum : Si boni eritis , sin mali , imbecillum . Wherein hee so lively characters the state of Princes , and the morall instruction of a Father dying , to his Children , with the severall Natures and Dispositions of them ; that it seemes he purposed to instance this kind of writing in so excellent a Subject . Here he shews Dissimulation in a Prince , even at his end : there an unworthy plot of an adopted Sonne , seeking to reigne by indirect meanes . Here Micipsa exhorts them ; with , Colite talem hunc virum , imitamini virtutem . Yet he intimates withall , his feare of aspiring , seeing his Nature so boundlesse . There he describes the jealous doubts , and perplexed windings of Adherball ; there the drooping spirit of Hyempsall , and the royall disposition of Iugurth : so as by reading their divers natures , one might conjecture for whom the government of Numidia was reserved .

These Histories are most fruitfull , Mixt Histories most fruitfull . they draw both Attention , and they comprehend in them great plenty of Instruction . Attention by their Variety , Instruction by their Morality ; including a perswasive kind of writing in the one , and a delightfull proceeding , or continuance in the other .

Some Historians in this kind , and not unfitly , lay open the causes of decayes in Cities , Empires , and Governments : as Romes fall proceeding from her imperiall Pride , Babylons from her Riot , the Medes from their Security , the Tyrians from their sumptuousnesse in Apparrell ; the Christians ( in Easterne parts ) more to their shame , and our griefe , from their civill dissention among themselves .

☞ Occasion might be here taken of laying open those especiall grounds , from whence our Historians have probably drawne their Reasons of enfeebling the greatest and flourishingst States ; taking breath , as they conceived , from these three particulars : Innovation in Government , Manners , Habit.

GOVERNMENT . For the first ; no Instance more to life , than when the Roman Monarchy became rint and divided to the Triumviri ; The Empire begun to feele strange Scepters .

The former state of Government , which had made it selfe so fearefull to her Neighbour-kingdomes , as they feared nothing more than to offend their Mistresse ; ( for so might Rome at that time be properly styled ) became more sleighted . Those sinewes of Warre , which before shewed strength in her publick Treasury , became exhausted ; Those Lawes , which either the necessity of the present time had enacted , or the fulnesse of their State required , through the difference of Commanders , neglected .

The saying is , Plants transplanted seldome thrive ; No more , Empires , when their state of Government is altered ; their ancient Lawes annulled ; the rule by which they were formerly directed , wholly relinquished . New Lords will alwayes have new Lawes : and to their Examples are their Followers ever moulded . There is nothing that beseemes our naturall complexion better than her owne colour ; whatsoever it borrows of Art , rather blemisheth than bestoweth any beauty on her .

I must confesse indeed , that in the dresse or fashion of our Attire , many devices there are ( presupposing ever that they be not apish nor garish ) which give a good grace to the Wearer , and doe better become him , in respect of the time wherein they are used , than if the Old Wardrobes of our Ancestors were ransacked , and those ancient Weares brought againe in request . But Antiquity ever holds best correspondency in Mannagements of State : the more the manner of their Government is altered ; the more their Manners are for most part corrupted .

This it was , that so much afflicted Solon ; after such time as hee had laboured to settle the State ; revive her usefull Lawes ; and lay downe all grounds that might any way improve their Government . After all this , I say , to see the people given to Innovation ; rejecting with much sleightnesse and contempt , what hee had both by travaile and counsell endeavoured to establish and enact . This grieved him more than his owne Banishment , or whatsoever that unthankfull Age could possibly inflict .

Secondly , for Manners ; MANNERS . Those are best-beseeming , which are most Native . Alwayes provided , that those places or Countries be Civill , where those Manners are used , or Lawes observed . The Scythians were not to conforme themselves to the Manners nor Discipline of the Aegyptians ; nor these to the Scythians . The Laconians , whose strict Discipline both for Meate , Drinke , and Apparell , made them imitable Presidents to their Neighbours ; could not endure that the proud Babylonian should commerce with them ; nor the dis-passionate Theban to converse with him ; nor the covetous Tyrian to trucke or traffick with him ; nor the riotous Sydonian to take repast with him ; nor the sorcerous Aegyptian ( who was no lesse blacke in superstition than he was of complexion ) to consort with him .

Their ancient Manners they reteined ; which not observed , they ever feared , that their State ( as they had exemplarily seene in others ) might be enfeebled .

Thirdly and lastly , touching Habit , HABIT . ( a small thing may some suppose to dissolue the maine Fabricke of a mighty State ) we shall finde what care and sedulity some States haue vsed in reteining the ancient Habit , recommended to them by their Ancestors .

Darius having altered the fashion of his blade , which vsed to be Persian , into the forme of the Macedonian ; in the yeare before he fought with Alexander , the Chaldees or Soothsayers prophecied , that into what fashion as Darius had altered his Sword , it would become Ruler of Persia . And the issue or conclusion seconded this prediction .

Scmyramis commanded all to weare Tyars vpon their heads , and to put vpon them Womans apparell , to cover their effeminate parts . But this new effeminacy of Habit brought a speedy subversion to that State : For vpon the death of their Queene , whose imperiall mind affected nothing more then command , this their Womanish Habit brought them into contempt .

Thus haue the flourishingest Common-weales fallen to desolation and dissolution , Innovation in Government , manners , habit , occasions of enfeebling a State . Causes precedent directors to the events . their highest Spires ruinate , their Temples , with their Places of prophane adoration , defaced ; nothing remaining to boast of , save that they once were happy , once victorious . Yea , Iugurth himselfe seemes to expresse the cause of Romes ruine ; shewing how subject they were ( even the purple Fathers , the reverent Benchers ) to take bribes , and receiue oyntments , which would close their mouths for speaking in the Common-weales behalfe . For when he was complained of vnto the Senat , for the murder of Hyempsall : and the Senat having then government over Numidia in chiefe ; which Realme ( as others ) was tributary to them , commanded Iugurth to appeare before them vpon such a day ; fully resolved to punish his insolencies . He so wrought by rewards , as their censure was not onely mittigated , but ( as the Historian records ) Tanta commutatio incessit , vt ex maximâ invidiâ in gratiam & favorem nobilitatis Iugurtha veniret . A strange Metamorphosis , when states were so soone changed , which portended a sudden change of their government , falling from so great glory , and eminence , to eternall obscurity .

Many Histories of these natures there be , which depend vpon apt allusions , Distinct proprieties in all Histories . equally mixt with Discursiue , Morall , and Physicall : Discursiue to delight and tricke on the appetite , by a sweet variety ; seeing the change of great states in a few Leaues ; being a speech meerely documentall , to better our Liues , teach us what should be done , as well in private as publike . Physicall , in the character of severall natures , aptly accommodated to the Subject whereof we entreate . With what delight do we reade the divers inclinations of Princes ? Inclinations different in Princes . Here a Catiline , doing little , and speaking much : There a Iugurth , doing much , and speaking little . Here a Philip drunke , and in his drunkennesse raging against his foes : there an Alexander , drunke too ; but in his passion raging against his best friends . Here a Caesar , then whom , none ever did more good to his followers : there a Nero , then whom , none more desertlesse to his followers . Here a working crafty wit , stirring up trifling rewards , to containe him in suspence ; instanced in Tiberius : there an affable mind , set out in threed-bare words , one that could never fl●tter ; specified in Titus .

These severall natures we may see , and marke what successe they had : Some , the more thinking , the more not knowing what to thinke : yet to obserue the worke of Heaven , seldome or never haue these suspitious heads cause to rest ; but the more they suspect , the more motiues they haue to suspect : for this craft is alwayes hatefull , and procureth enemies : Subtill councels being odious vnto the world , and so dis-favoured of God , that they are alwayes waited on , and attended with most vnprosperous ends . An observation worthy our note . Subtill Councels ever produce vnprosperous ends : And to their Counsellours popular hate . Vertue ever attended with a prosperous end . We shall see in prophane stories a maine diversitie , even in the simplest and shallowest vnderstandings ; the subtillest sconses the meanes of their owne decay ; as in Sejanus , who in the opinion of his owne worth grew in time , Ferox sceleris : Policy her ●wne ruine , x●mplified : Such aspiring spirits be ( for the most part ) vsed like Sponges , wet with their spoyles and extortions , with which being a long time soaked , they are at last crushed and condemned , that their long-gathered wealth might returne to the Princes Coff●●s . Trajan vsed to call the Treasury or Exchequer ( by way of comparison ) the Spleane , because it increasing , brings to all the other parts a pining .

☞ What Various Occurrents , nay fearefull and vnexpected Disasters haue ever beene the attending feares of ambitious Spirits ; The misery of Ambition . No Historie but can beare witnesse . How safe and secure haue many lived ; Free from feares within , and Foes without ; Retired from the Concourse of litigious Plaintiffs ; Clamour of Courts ; Heate of Corrivals : Nay , whatsoever else might breed their disquiet ? Yet see the misery of Ambition ! On they must , be it to their ruine . Examples they find store to caution them ; precepts both divine and morall to informe them . Yet neither can the former worke any impression on them ; nor the latter by more easie perswasions waine them .

Commines reports , how Charles the third , vnder whom he so long time served , communicating himselfe so freely both in matters of advice and action for the advancing of his service ; was ever casting in his mind after businesse of greatest difficulty ; Yea such , perhaps , saith he , as exceeded the abilities of man .

This was a strange disposition ; And yet we shall meete with many of this nature , both in the course of our Reading and Living . We shall obserue some , who , though they haue a faire-bet path to walke in , yet will they leaue the tracke , and make the Wall or some other high Mount their Walke . So fates it with these , who had rather fish in Troubl●d Waters , then when they are Calme . No Night so darke ; no perill so fatally imminent : But with cheerefulnesse they will attempt , what their inconsiderate boldnesse pompts them to . Nor is this their forwardnesse forc'd out of want ; For many of these abound in all fulnesse ; rich in fortunes ; Strong in followers : Yet miserable in both these . For as their fortunes feed their followers : So doe their followers feed on them . These Faunes are they , who make Fooles of their Masters ; And by throwing out strange lures , miserably seaze on them . The daring D' Ambois , and that braue Byroun were Spirits of this temper . Great enough in Princes favour ; loaden sufficiently with honour ; onely vnhappy in this , in that they knew not their owne happinesse : Miserable , in that they had never tasted misery .

It is well observed by one , in his Discourse of this Subject ; that of all frenzies , there is none that madds man more then Ambition . It makes him thinke he walks altogether invisible ; Ixion was never more deceiu'd with a Cloud , then he is with his disguise .

There is one thing more in it ; this madding fancy , or raving frenzy is of that nature , as no friend can be secure , so his fall may purchase their aime . Clitus Constancy cannot secure him , when Ambitious heate mixt with Wine , egges on his Master to an indeliberate revenge .

Yet see the just doome of these ! Who , as they build their plottes vpon vnsure Grounds ; Or , which is of all others hatefull'st , because to themselues in their passage hence the heaviest , on blood ; Which is never shed in vaine : So are they to receiue , what their deluded greatnesse made them belieue they could never suffer .

Then , and never till then , are they brought to acknowledge , that a greatnesse can be no Subterfuge to guiltinesse . Greatnesse can be no Subterfuge to guiltinesse . Then must that veile , which had so long shrowded them from the sight of men , be removed ; their princely persons with their vnprincely actions discovered and paralel'd . So poore a Support is painted Clay to build vpon .

Nor be these Ambitious Spirits onely heere to be taxed ; who , though they fall , they fly faire : But such , who abuse that place to which their Princes favour hath raised them ; by base mercenary wayes . These are they who play the Sharkes vnder the hatches . Not a petition must be presented , but it must be guilded . As for their owne Suites , they little care how they worke vpon the Spirit of the State ; how they discourage the peoples just indeavours ; how they increase the Widdowes teares , aggravate the Orphans wrongs , and multiply their abuses to maintaine their Surfets . Or if parcimonious , Vnconscionable Prollers should be made Sponges of , for example of others . how they enrich their owne Coffers with others Curses . For these , I would haue them made Spunges of ; that as they suckt and milkt the Lowest , so they might be soakt and mulc't by the Highest .

The simple ( or innocently-imagining Statist ) comes ever to an expected end in his hopes ; as they are not great , so not subject to so great an Eclypse : yea , the hopes of these men attaine sometimes ends aboue expectance : Such was Helvius Pertinax his successe , who ( never aiming at the Title of Emperour ) was crowned when he was from thoughts of Titulary honour most sequestred : Repugnansque suscipiens , vsing a kinde ; of withstanding ere he would entertaine so great a weight . And in all Histories , if we obserue the divers occurrents which befell men in great and eminent places , we shall see ever the honestest purposes seconded with the happiest events ; and the disproportion of the end ever sorting with the discordance of the mind : for the intention is discussed by Him that layeth the foundation of all Empires in dust at his pleasure : breathing ever vpon the sincere purposes of the good , and confounding the deepe designes ( vpon what pretence soever grounded ) of the evill .

In Mixt Histories ( as the Scope whereat they aime ) is mixed part with profit , What Subject best concords with mixt Histories . and part with delight , to make the Discourse more compleat : So should the seriousnesse of the Subject attract a kinde of Majesty to it ; for impossible it is , either with trimnesse of words , propriety of aptly-annexed , and duly-applied sentences , or any other elegancy whatsoever , to make a Subject ( of it selfe light and frivolous ) beare the portray of State : For words ( if well applyed ) illustrate and adde a beauty , but not any way better the weight of the matter .

There be three things which be especially required in Histories of this nature , Three things necessarily required in Histories of the nature . to make them perfect : first Truth , in sincerely relating , without having any thing ( as Tacitus observeth ) haustum ex vano , foysted in by our owne invention , to smooth the passage of our story .

Secondly , an Explanation in discovering , not onely the sequels of things , but also the causes and reasons drawing to the conclusions .

Thirdly , Iudgement in distinguishing things by approving the best , and disallowing the contrary .

For the first , Stories should be true , Histories should be true or at least resemble truth , because by so much , they are more pleasing , by how much they resemble truth the neerer ; and so much more gracefull , by how much more probable and lesse doubtfull . We haue many Histories ( even of this kind ) mixed , that comprehend in them nothing lesse then truth : yet by their smooth carriage , and their proper circumstances with such aptnesse drained and disposed , they haue beene taken for truth , and registred amongst Workes of more serious consequence .

Such were those Apologae Fabulae ( whereof we haue in part spoken before ) which contained in them many pitthy and graue sentences , ☞ and worthy observation in the excellent'st Morall : these are fitly called by Tully , Mirrors of Mans life , Patternes of Manners , and Images of truth . Their neere resemblance of truth , made the Reader more attentiue , subjecting his eare to Discourses probable , more then to things surpassing the bounds and limits of beliefe ; as producing vnheard-of miracles ( meere conceptions of the braine ) phanaticke Chymeras : A Gyant immured in a Rocke , yet able to pierce it through ; winne a whole Monarchy with his owne single hands ; leade a multitude of Kings captiues , and returne home without a wound . Here strange Inchaunted Castles , Ladies and Knights detained in most base seruitude by an Airy Monster : there admirable victories purchased vpon incredible oddes : and the rather to be believed , because it pleaseth the Painter so to delineate their vertues .

These relations , ☜ Improbabilities in all Historicall passages , highly condemned . as they proceed for most part from a conceipt , whose wits are long since gone a Wool-gathering ; so to any serious judgement they become so meerely ridiculous , as they are hissed at by the peruser , howsoever they seeme to receiue entertainement by the vulgar . For I haue formerly observed , to describe the winning of a Fort , before the approach of a Foe ; Or the razing of a Citty , without discovery of any apparant Enmity , perplexeth the vnderstanding ; and leaues the Conceipt intangled . An orderly proceeding in arguments of this nature , deserve best approvement : For the ignorancr or want of observance of Order distracts the Conceipt , and makes whatsoever is read , tedious to the Reader .

In this , Vitruvius merits high praise . His writings are faire and formall ; Hee first lieth Siedge ; then he proceeds to Occasionall Treaties : next , he lyes downe the reasons either of accepting or rejecting what is propounded . Not an improbability will he admit of , least it should impaire the credit of his History .

In those Warres betwixt old Astiages and his Grand-child Cyrus ; wherein much Civill blood was shed , before the Empire of the Medes was reduced to a Persian State ; Such principall Allyes as came on in defence of Astiages , after their defeate , became ingaged to the like hazard . Astiages did not onely suffer , but those also who came to his succour . He then , that should in any weake historicall relation , averre , that the sole ground of Cyrus his incursion into Lydia , Not Craesus treasure , but a precedent displeasure caused victorious Cyrus to invade Lydia . was the desire he had to seaze vpon Croesus treasure , rather then any preceeding displeasure , should faile much in the trust of a Relater .

For our antient Historians describing the first occasionall grounds of all those fatall differences ; report , how that Lydian King , vpon a long league of amity continued betwixt them , or some other propositions of reward for so necessitated a curt'sie , addressed himselfe with a strong Army for his defence . Yet , by the martiall and experienc'd power of the Persians , who were expert Slingers , and of strong tempers , able to endure any labour ; Cyrus became victorious ; his Enemies , Subjects of his Triumph . Which exploit hee had no sooner atchieved , then he turned his Sword vpon such as had beene Assistants to the adverse part . Wherein , as Croesus had showne himselfe most forward , so he was one of the first that he assaulted . Then , and never till then , and for no other was this acted then ; came the treasures of that rich Prince to be surprized ; his princely Pallace to be ransacked ; his sumptuous Wardroabe disroabed : and he himselfe exposed to the extreamest Censure of a commanding Conquerour . Though Cyrus Clemency , vpon that serious consideration of humane inconstancy , pardon'd him his life , and made him his Homager in his owne Kingdome .

The like might be instanced in those Civill Warres betwixt Caesar and Pompey . Though the victorious Caesar had got the day , and made himselfe happy in the acquisition of a doubtfull victory ; his ambition became not so confin'd ; nor his hate so attemper'd ; as to stay there . Such , who had vsed their best endeavours in defence of his Enemy , must feele the heavie hand of his Soveraignty . Though some , who were nearely allyed to his discomfitted Foe , or held integrious Members of the Romane State , were received with a gracefull Countenance : Yea , and advanc'd to vnexpected honours , vpon their submission to his innovated Government .

Great was the delight which that Vniversall Monarch of the World conceived in the Brachmans : highly , likewise , was he taken with the answers of those Indian Oracles ; the strangenesse whereof might beget an Improbability , were not the Surveyor his owne Relator : but discoursing of every Circumstance that might any way enliven the Survey of those parts : He expresseth in a modest Majestick Stile what he had seene or heard : not deriving these from others report , but from his owne personall knowledge .

This may appeare in those discoveries which he so freely communicates in a Letter to Aristotle his Master : where , amongst other memorable Sights , he tells him how he had seene those two Trees consecrated to the Sunne and Moone , with their Oracular discourse to him .

The first Report of the strangenesse of these , no doubt , made him retire a little from Martiall affaires ; and to take breath a while , that he might more fully obserue their occult natures and effects . For at such time , as this Spreading Commander came into those parts , the Inhabitants there related to him the incredible power of those Trees in this manner . Thou shalt see ( said they ) what King soever thou bee , two Trees of the Sunne and Moone , speaking both the Indian and Greeke tongues ; The one whereof being a Masculine Oake , is consecrated to the Sunne : The other Feminine , is dedicated to the Moone : and by these shalt thou know what good or evill soever shall befall thee . This said , the Priest , to whom , any one that intended to enter that Sacred Caue , as they esteem'd it , were to repaire , told him ; That if he were free from the Vse or knowledge of Women , he might enter that holy place . And sayes Alexander , I obeyed the man in all things , as was fitting to conforme my selfe to a religious Observation . Which done , the Priest expected when the Sunne would set . In which attendance , I carried along with mee my three faithfull friends , Perdiccas , Clitus , and Philotas .

Now in this Historicall Progression , you shall heare what Alexander , by way of consultation demands of the Oracle . " I thought in my mind ( saith he ) to inquire whether having conquered the whole World , I might in triumph returne into my Countrey , to my Mother Olympia and my loving Sisters ? Then suddenly in the Indian Tongue , and in a small voyce the Tree answered : Invincible in Warre shalt thou be , Alexander ; according to thy demand , the Sole Lord of the whole world , but returne aliue thou shalt not into thine owne Countrey . So haue the Destinies decreed touching thy life .

After this , Alexander descends to speake of the Tree sacred to the Moone . Which ( saith he ) at the very first rising of the Moone being summoned by an horne , having received her full light , answered in the Greeke tongue after this sort . Alexander ( said it ) as yet thou hast not approched the full end of thine age , but the next yeare in the Moneth of May thou shalt dye in Babylon . By him shalt thou be deceived , whom thou least suspected .

After all this ( though little beseeming so virile a Spirit ) he speakes of those teares he shed , after these Oracular Trees had divined these things .

Then I wept ( saith he ) and my friends who stood about me ; wept with me , without guile or subtilty , being ready to dye for my safety . But little moved these gentle teares , those Gentile Gods : for the Priest ( saith he ) advised us to depart thence , because ( quoth he ) you offend these Holy Trees with your weeping and howling .

These relations haue we inserted , that it may appeare how those things which of themselves may otherwise seeme improbable , being onely reported from the mouth of others ; receiue sufficient authority by so princely a Testimony ; being confirmed by his owne Eyes and Eares , and committed to memory for authentick and vndoubted truth .

Whereas , others there be of a different nature ; who make the whole body of their discourse an indisposed heape of rubbish , or immateriall matter : with a purpose to vend such vnauthoriz'd stuffe to delude a weake conceipt ; who usually reades what is done , but never deliberately collects how this may be probably or possibly done .

We read of a people called Acephaloi , and these haue no heads : and of this ranke are all these improbable Relaters . Who , as they are Acephalists , and without a founder : So are they Apodes , and without a Supporter .

These are not much vnlike to indiscreet Actors , who no lesse vnseasonably then improperly , make choice both at that time and of that place to present their merriments , when and where Tragick passages should be personated . Or like our too secure Architectists , who contriving how to make their house most for strength , to barre all hope of entrance to their Foes , build on still , but forget to make a door to giue admittance to their friends .

But of these erronious stories there be some observe no method , planting an Arcadie in a Brittanie . as if by some super-naturall accident there were a transplantatiō of Regions , Absurdities in Historians of our time . or some Earth quake in the Authors braine , whence this immane Colosse of an irregular Discourse proceeded . Which strange representatiōs be not vnlike to your Lanskip ; where vpon the sea , whatsoever we see by land , seemes in our saile to go with us : Even so do these vain Historians make strange objects vnto us of places impossible , transiting whole Countries to make an impolished straine of pastoral musick ( one good Bell-weather in his Pasture would make as perfect harmōy ) sound wel in a Clownes care .

To be short , my opinion positiuely is this : That Historian which can joyne profit with a modest delight together in one body or frame of one vnited discourse , grounding his story vpon an essentiall truth , deserves the first & principall place : and he who ( vpon a feigned discourse ) can proportion it to a likenesse of truth , merits the next . As for him that ( like one of Duke Humphreyes Knights ) observes neither meane nor measure , but gorge their owne insatiate appetites with full messes of vntruths ( without probability ) should be dealt withall , as that wandring Italian Squire was vsed , for his monstruous lying : ost in a Blanket , till his erring spirit by suffumigations , or some such like means , wee canvased out of him .

Great blemishes these be to so reputed a Profession , aiming neither at profit nor modest delight , but imitating your Mercenary Actors , spurt out some obscaene jeast to make a prophane Rogue applaud him : and sure , if the strict doome and censure of banishment , were to be inflicted vpon any kinde of learning , rather should it be pronounced against such as these then any . The Pagans haue abhorred them , and much more odious should they bee in a Christian Common-wealth , where vertue should be the scope of all our actions .

They are like some Comoedies wee read now a dayes ; The first Act whereof is in Asia , the next in Affrica , the third in Europa , the fourth in America : and if Ptolomaeus or Marcus Paulus had found out a fifth part of the world , no question but it had beene represented on their vniuersall Stage . Such as these ought to haue some distinct language , Vtopian , or some other grunting tongue engrossed to themselues : For they should profit more , by being lesse vnderstood . Much they speake of valour , and many imaginary Heroes are pitching their Pavillions ; But I will take my leaue of them with my French Proverbe : Beaucoup de bruit , è peu de fruict : Much bruit , but little fruit : Battels more fierce ( by report ) then Alcazors : That was but Kings , their 's Giants : and one of those Giants as able to vanquish all those Kings , as for Milo to carry his Bull on his shoulders .

For the second : There should be an explanation in discovery of the causes , Explanation in discovery of causes . with a direct and graduall proceeding to the sequels : As thus , in description of a solemne Iust , or Tournament , it is necessary for the Historian to show the cause why such Solemnities were instituted . I doe know many things there be in Discourses , which may be as well implyed as inserted ; But in Festivals , solemne Games , events of Duello's , or publicke Trials : The causes forcing should and ought to be as well decyphered , as the ends succeeding . How should we haue knowne of the vniting of the Sabines with the Romanes , or the occasion of their Marrying together , but by those dissembled Feasts ordained by Romulus , to bring his purpose to effect : The circumstances of which feast ( are with a certaine concordancy ) amongst most of the Romane Writers agreed on ; standing ( though with too nice precisenesse , I confesse ) vpon the place , occasion , and houre of the day , with such a liuely Transcription , as if the Sabine Rape had beene committed in their time .

The like we reade of the destruction and vtter subversion of the Gabians , Vid. Tract . intituled , the Gabian Overthrow . in the time of Tarquin Superbus : The generall vnion of Historians , about the time , place , and occasion , so concordantly jumping , as if all those proceedings ( as well in the Stratagems by Tarquins youngest Sonne , A concord in circumstances amongst Historians . as the very Contents of that Letter writ by the Father to his Sonne , for the management of this exploit ) had bene set downe by one penne .

The like harmony of Historians in their Relations , ☞ though writ in severall ages ; The harmony of Historians in their Relations ; though writ in severall ages . may be gathered from the Annals both of antient and our more moderne Authors .

Those long continued Warres betwixt the Athenians and Lacedemonians , with what agreement and concordancy even in every Circumstance , are they delivered ? No Land-exploit but expressed to life as it was acted ; and so fully presented , as Succeeding times received them for infallible Records .

That tenne yeares Siege of Troy ; where so many designes were attempted ; so many bloody Stratagems devised ; where strength and policy equally contended : while nothing was unassayed , whereby so deepe a blemish or staine of dishonour done to a warlike Nation might be revenged : what joynt union or harmony holds it amongst most Authors , who have enlarged themselves upon that Subject ?

This might be instanced in Dares Phrygius himselfe ; one personally imployed in that Service , and writ afterwards whatsoever had hapned during that heavie fatall Siege .

Nor was it held sufficient to these , onely to describe the fearefull Events of those calamitous Warres ; but the Grounds and Origenes of them . How their first hate begun ; how increased ; and by what Offices made implacable . Heere is Paris portrayed ; how he became enamoured ; how in his wanton suite entertained ; how after Helens consent to a licentious assault , her conveyance is practised ; the voyage accommodated ; and the very Ship , wherein these two lustfull Lovers were imbarked , described . Where you shall find Phereclus , that curious Carpenter of Troy , preparing that fatall Ship , wherein Helen was stolne away by Paris .

Then , you shall heare what entertainement old Priam giues to these two youthfull Saylers after their arrivall . What Feasts are solemnized ; what Sumptuous Triumphs prepared ; and to what a wofull Catastrophe all these goodly Solemnities are converted . Then , what Embassies are sent ( before ever Warre was proclaimed ) to re-demand Helen . Their peremptory answer to so just a demand .

Then , those fearefull predictions of Troyes destruction . Yet behold the inevitable Fate of a declining State !

Neither could the justnesse of their request ; nor those Ominous fore-runners of their irreparable fall , divert them from an vnexpected ruine . Vnexpected indeed , for glorying in their owne strength , and inclining to the importunacy of a Lascivious youth ; they denied to restore a light commodity , to saue their State from an ensuing misery .

Yet in these , shall you find the Citty divided in opinion . Some held it fitting to restore , what they in Iustice did require . Others , and those of the inconsideratest ranke , side with Paris : perswading him to enjoy his stolne Fruite : to keepe her in despight of Greece : and to triumph in such a booty , as surpassed nature in attractiue beauty .

Then , their recourse to the Oracle ; the answers they received : Yet must Helen be still deteined ; that lust may be revenged : and a perishing beauty with the losse of a perishing City , vnwillingly restored .

All these are with so harmonious a consent seconded , as if they had writ in one time ; or one had dictated to another , whatsoever in that Theatre of sorrow had bene Acted .

The like in that Combat , or bloudy Banket , rather , of Thomyris her eldest sonne , and the Persian Cyrus , with such natiue descriptions of every circumstance ; the River Araxis , the place of their passage , the reasons which moved Thomyris to suffer their passage , and the very plot where their Tents were pitcht , their dainty viands left for the Scythian surfet , in what sort prepared , and how insatiably desired by the Scythian Army , comming rather to feast then to fight : And then their defeate , being there vanquished , where they were most confident of victory .

In these explanations , the Reader should not be delayed , or frustrated too much in his hopes , by vnnecessary ambages : We should not trifle out the time in vaine and impertinent repetitions , it cloies and satiates the appetite too much : not vnlike to your great feasts , reserving the choysest dainties for the end , when the appetites of the Guests are satisfied before they come : It is a good frugall course , and includes an Oeconomicke pollicy , their best dishes may be preserved for another time . He that discovers events and sequels without their preceedent causes , is as one that would draw a River dry , without knowing whence the Spring is derived : applying the conclusions of things , as it pleased the Ethnickes in ancient time , to referre them to the arbiterment of Fortune ; making ever this womanish argument : The event was so , because it was so ; and it was so , because Fate would haue it so : answering Titus opinion , Potestates fato dari . But these which thus apply the course of all conclusions to Fortune , be as blind as Fortune : Nay , farre more ; for though Fortune be blind , yet she is not invisible : But these men are not onely blind in the eye of common sence , Fortune is blind , how much more blind is he that will be t'●ne by one that cannot see . but invisible in the composure of their owne Arguments ; their Conclusions being as blind as themselves .

In making likewise our judgement of Histories , and considerately applying it to our present interests , we must specially regard the dispositions of the Agents , and diligently remarke how they are affected in mind ; this is the least deceiving ground of forming opinion . By the nature of the Agent , conjecturall events or reasons of events may be drawne : As if an ambitious man be imployed in Embassage twixt Prince and Prince , he is to be suspected that his Treaty will be lesse happy , in that his illimited passions oft-times , rather aggravate then allay causes of civill discord . Men of moderate dispositions , purchase peace with lesse adoe , & more successefull ; For Princes ( ballancing their owne wrongs , to their apprehension insupportable ) cannot endure braving , The event gathered by foregoing causes . but will rather try the extreamest of Fortune , then be vnworthy of themselves , by hearing and bearing affronts with patience .

The like we haue observed in the successe of Warre ; a wise and experienc't Leader , to haue accomplished great matters with a handfull of men ; Tanti esse exercitum quanti imperatorem . Luc. Flor. 2 lib. and that Aphorisme to be very true : Better is an Army of Harts , with a Lyon to their Leader , then an Army of Lyons , having an Hart to their Leader : And contrariwise , the vnhappie events of most flourishing Empires , the miserable slaughters of most puissant Armies , by the vnadvised government of their Agents , or tyranny of their Regents , whose improvidence made much people vnfortunate : To see Hanniball once a Conquerour , because his hopes were not seated on in direct meanes ; and afterwards by his owne truculent disposition , ☞ to become a prey to the conquered , makes this Assertion good .

No doubt , but the indiscretion of Commanders , becomes the vtter subversion of their designes . The indiscretion of Commanders , the vtter subversion of their designes . Where , we shall finde some more apt for command , then to be commanded ; Others fitter to be commanded , then command . There may be alledged divers reasons for this . Such , whose vnbounded Spirits are ever taken with high exploits , many times more boldly then wisely , will not stick to expose their persons to all perils ; so they may haue the honour of the day ; and beget a reverence in their Souldiers . Such as these , as I conceive , are fitter to receiue command from another , then to be Commanders of others . For a discreet Commander ( as I haue formerly observed ) is not to ingage his person in too desperate attempts .

That commanding Regent of the World , was sometimes highly censured for this : when in scaling of a Citty , hee would be so venterously bold as to mount first the Walls ; but rather to haue the passage prepared , before he ascended .

Besides all this , divers Commanders there haue beene , who eying their owne power , and transported with their successe ; from Commanders of an Army , haue struck at a Monarchy . Sylla's perpetuall Dictatorship implyed no lesse ambition : nor Sertorius his keeping himselfe aloofe from the State , lesse aspiring . High Spirits , puffed vp with the glory of their victories , are for most part so inclined . Those tyes , wherein they stand ingaged to their Prince and Countrey , are sleighted ; the basenesse of ingratitude they have no mind to thinke on . Ever are they expostulating with themselves , what it is to be seazed of an absolute Soveraignty , to be subject to none ; to command all ; to haue their Will their Law . To infranchise friends ; confine Foes ; To bestow a new face on the State . These are the flourishes , which so delude them , as neither the obedience they owe the State , nor the safety of their owne persons may prevaile with them . Such as these are vnhappy agents for themselues : for howsoever they seeme to gather head ; and with factious Male-contents to fuell their vnprosperous strength ; they ever come home rewarded according to their deserts . Faire pretences , as vindicating either publique or private wrongs , freeing the oppressed State from exactions , easing the injuried , and punishing the insolent , receiue at first an easie impression ; but no sooner shall their Complyes observe the indirectnesse of their ends , then they fall from them , least by cleaving too long to them , their greatnesse faile them .

These showes pretended that haire-brain'd Catiline ; who the better to bring them on , whom he sought to joyne to him , by dividing them from the State , and ranking them with his owne ; tills them on with faire promises of New Tables , proscriptions of the rich , Salust in Conjur . Catilin . magistracies , priest hoods , rapines , and rich booties , with all other things , that either Warre or the will of a Conquerour may any way tender . Braue offers , if they were his to giue ; but how soone did that Sunne which so fairely seem'd to shine , set in a Cloud to his shame ?

There is another Error too incident to a Commander ; and that is in making himselfe too familiar with his Souldier . The Iewes , during Titus his abode in Iudaea , Clementiam Imperatoris pro inertiâ ducebant . in perfitting that designe which his Father had begun , held that Princes mildnesse to be slothfulnesse ; his clemency , a remisse security . Whereas hee , out of his princely humanity , pittied their present misery . But this conceipt they retayned of Titus , ( as may bee probably gathered ) by reason of the famiaritie hee used to his Souldiers . Truth is , Affabilitie begets in Commanders a Reverence , but Flamiliaritie Contempt : The rare impression of a compassionate disposition . for an affable compassion leaves many times a deeper impression in a Souldiers heart , then any other booty or benefit .

Alexander , when hee had his Head-piece of water ministred unto him , would not drinke himselfe , but offered it to his Souldiers ; which could not chuse but worke a strange effect in them ; when thirst ( held the extreamest Suffering in Nature ) could not so annoy him , but that the affection hee bare to his Souldiers wrought such compassionate Effects in him , as he neglected himselfe to refresh them .

Cowardise likewise in a Commander clips his wings , Semper in praelio maximum est periculum , qui maximè timet . Audacia pro muto habetur . Neque locus , neque amicus quisquam teget , quem Armae non texerint . Salust . in Conjur . Cat. that hee can never mount to a Conquerour . There is ever ( saith sententious Salust ) most danger accompanying his fight , whose heart is most surpriz'd with feare . Whereas , Courage is a Countermure against all Assailants . Neither Place nor Friend can afford a Shrowd , where Armes cannot present a Shield .

Lastly ( to runne over all these cursorily ) that pernicious baine to all humane brood , filthy Avarice , many times no lesse prejudiceth the Regiment hee commands , then it ruines himselfe , and brings a shamefull Defeate to his Designes : This felt Manius Acilius from the hand of Mithridates ; when by receiving Bribes , hee lay a dishonour on his Countrey , death to himselfe , and to his dying Name a living Infamy .

Many Examples wee have of the like , where the nature of the Agent ill affected , crossed not onely the successe of hopefull designes , but buried their Names in oblivion ; of such I speake , as have beene interested in the like adventures .

Contempt of Religion , the cause of Realmes subversion . As sometimes where the Agents have beene neglectfull of Religion ; depending more upon their owne proper resolutions , then the power of Heaven directing all humane affaires to their appointed ends : As wee may reade in that memorable disaster of the Romanes at Cannae , This even the very Heathens haue observed . where the Consull Varro , with a populous Army of experienc'd Souldiers , was utterly discomfited ; and that ( as the Romane Historians have observed ) because of Iunoes wrath conceived against Varro , for erecting ( in derision of Iupiters Temple ) a Mimick-boy to keepe watch , as the solemne order was .

The like of Potitius , detracting from the honour of Hercules : The like revenge inflicted on Virilius by Aesculapius : Quia lauream ●reteram Delphos perferendam curasset . Valer. Max. Minutius in Octavio . By Iuno Lacinian , on Q. Fulv : By Proserpine , on Plenimius : By Iupiter , on that sacriligious Tyrant Dionysius : On Alexander , by Ceres : But wisely prevented with the presenting of a golden Goblet to Apollo , by the Pirate-Prince Thymasithius .

Sometimes by the libidinous disposition of the Governour , other sometimes by his Avarice : now and then by his Impatience , and most of all by his recklesnesse , have the sequels of things proved lesse fortunate , because the precedent motives , or instruments directing to the end , had no better likely-hoods in them .

Wee wonder not at all , to see troubled water come from an uncleere Spring : Nor at tares growing in the sluggards field ; but wee admire successive ends , drawne from improbable causes . Many times there bee ( I confesse ) intrinsecall motives , which like , as that Beauty is the best which cannot bee expressed by the Painter , so arrogates it the chiefest place ( that inwardly moving cause , I meane ) because , the efficient cause of causes , more sure , more infallible then the evidentest demonstration : And I have ( for my part ) ever superstitiously feared to bring such causes in Question : Such things as bee aboue us , be not to bee argued of us . since such Arguments have ministred no small occasion to the prophaner wits , both of Ancient and Moderne times , to boulster their insufficient opinions : As to argue thus : Heere we see a flourishing Common-weale , supporting her selfe by no other meanes then Iustice ; reaching to as high a perfection in every degree , of as exact Government , as the blindnesse of the time would permit : Yet this State ( so flourishing ) layd wast by a people exposed to all Impieties : Heere the end can hardly bee collected by the fore-going Cause . Equity was in the conquered , Tyrannie in the Conquerour : Here is a maine discrepancy in the beginning , & conclusion ; and the active causes ordinarily moving seeme ( Cardine Verso ) to oppose themselves . It is true ; But tell me ( whosoever thou art ) that Lucian-like composest this Argument : Is hee that sets , and confounds , what Empires as best pleaseth him , tyed to meanes , or secondary causes ? There is no Realme which for some abuse or other , hath not deserved to loose her glory ; and herein doth the Majestick power of Heaven shew aboundant mercy , to some Kingdomes in chastising them before they come to the heighth of sinne , that there eclypse of glory , might bee an increase unto them of vertue ; their ebbe of Honour , an occasion of acknowledgement of their Creator .

Kingdomes brought to acknowledgement by the taste of miseries . For even in the best Common-weales , wee reade , that the experiment of some externall misery or disaster , hath reduced them to more ripe consideration of themselves , and an exact search in themselves , discussing the causes of the Gods indignation against them . Present extremities are of that force to Humane bodies , that the present apprehension of their woe , seemes in some sort to extenuate their pride , inflameth Religion , exciteth men to undertake a labour for the benefit of their Countrey ( with the losse of themselves ) to appease the wrath of the Gods . This was the cause why the Romans used to have the gate of the Temple Ianus open in Warre , but shut in Peace : For Necessity ( as well in these times as in Pagan times ) useth to be the motiue of devotion .

To inlarge which point , we may safely avouch , because it agrees with the doctrine of the time ; that Sanctuaries are never well frequented , but when danger approcheth . Sanctuaries never well frequented , but when dangers approached . Calme Seas beget in the Mariner quiet sleepes , stiffe knees , deepe healths . The Husbandman flyes to devotion in a drought ; that he may receiue Showers . Againe , after too much raine hee prayes for drought . But where 's his Oblation , after he h'as received the benefit of his petition ? Hee feedes on the Acorne , but never lookes to that Tree from whence it falls .

In a great Plague or Mortality , what divine Lectures , devout Prayers , religious Fasts are every where commanded , and with what seemely obedience observed ? But when the raine is past , the plague ceas't , God appeas't ; we close the Blessing with a prayer or two of Thanksgiving , and then returne to our former course of Living .

Sanctuaries are not to be so frequented ; we are not onely to offer up our prayers in the time of danger , that we may be delivered ; but continue our Thanksgivings after our delivery , that we may be hereafter preserved .

Feare will supple the most insensible Atheist , and enforce him to prayer . If Festus heare but of judgement , Feare will supple the most insensible Atheist , and enforce him to prayer . he will tremble ; if Callgula heare but the noise of Thunder , he will shudder : Or creepe under his bed ( poore imperiall dust ) to finde a shelter .

Wherein are we better , if onely feare of Gods judgements force us to prayer ?

When Delinquents are had in pursuit , they flye ( if opportunity be offered them ) to the Temple ; not to pray , but least they should become a prey to their pursuers : So it fares with most of us , when these Pursivants of The Great Kings ( I meane his Iudgements ) follow us at the heeles ; how gladly would we haue the Temple open to receiue us ; to avoide those judgements that pursue us ? But that Delinquent is never truly penitent , who takes Sanctuarie onely for feare of punishment .

The Antients had their Asyla ; their places of refuge to flye to in their distresse . Sanctuaries ( as they styled them ) these had ; while one flyes to Naxos , another to Lemnos , this to Paphos , that to Lesbos . And high impiety was it held to hale any with violent hand from those Sacred places . Though these Sanctuaries by the policy of after-times , were held fitting to be suppressed , that the abuse of those immunities might be removed . Now to requite their Gods for their supposed delivery ; there was no Temple to which they retired , but they offered some Present or other to that God , whereto that Temple was dedicated . Nay , the very high-way-man , who made Pillage his vocation , Rapine his calling , Lavernae atrium Latronum prospexit in untrum . would not be behind with his Offering . Laverna must haue his Sacrifice ; hoping , if his actions should come to the tesh , that those thankfull Presents would not be forgotten , but render him succour in the time of danger .

These may seeme to out-strip us , though in divine knowledge Sphear'd below us . These prayed and offered before they needed ; Wee never till then when danger is visibly imminent . Bee it our constant resolve , when the doores of our materiall Temples are shut , to haue the doores of our Spirituall Temples open . Bee it our highest prize to offer up unto him the Sacrifice of a contrite heart , and distreaming Eyes ; To whom both before and after our delivery , is to be ascribed all praise .

Explanation of Causes , is an elucidary or exemplifying , as it were , of the matter whereon we entreate : Happy ( saith the Poet ) is hee , that hath knowne , or doth know , Causes directories of events . the principall causes of things , as well preceedent as subsequent : Events may be knowne ( I confesse ) without their causes , but so defectiue is that knowledge , as the Countrey Shep-heards prediction is of weather : His observances are Causelesse , because Artlesse ; judging of the Cloud ( by vsuall approbation ) & making experiment his ground , without recourse had to Naturall causes : To shew the destruction of Troy by Alcydes , without explaining the perfidious dealing of Laomedon : or of Troyes second subversion , without the rape of Hellen : or of Romes translated Aristocracy , without relation made of those civill Warres , planting Caesar in his Monarchy ; or of that ample and potent Empire of Media translated to the Persians , without the preceedent causes arising from the glory , and eternall renowne , of Cyrus ; would make a confused History , as if the former Chaos were reduced to her first indigestion : A diposition , yet not limited , an order yet not coacted , a meanes yet not enforced : Qui enim ( Si voluit ) omnia sine medijs creare potuit , ea etiam sine Medijs ( Si voluit ) servare potuit . Causes are the Springs of Events .

If we should reade the divers effects of glory , the sundry moving causes of perpetuall honour , amongst the Romanes , we would admire them : Some having raised themselves to an exceeding eminent pitch of greatnesse , and that by as vnaccustomed meanes , Selfe-affiance , or Confidence of their owne valour , instanced in One Scipio : publiquely proclaiming : That , Nothing was more generous then this Confidence , more infallible then Prediction , more powerfull then celerity in dispatch , or more eminent then the dignity of the Person : Many Kingdomes much renowned , by that meanes , which makes them most debased : Selfe-conceit . The like of Scipio Aemilianus , Scipio Nasica , Furius Phylus , Luc. Crassus , M. Scaurus . And many others , whose greatest fame was purchased by that meane , which useth to be the greatest errour in humane society ; Selfe-conceit of a mans owne deservings : Which , likewise , hath beene ruine to many populous and most puissant Empires . Then to divert our eye to an opposite of Conceit , and that is Modesty , or a silent shadowing of their owne demerits : Excellent and memorable Examples whereof may bee produced out of Valerius Maximus in his 4th Booke , entreating of Modesty : Where hee observes ( by way of explanation ) the meriting parts of many , whose resolutions shadowed , made the lustre of their Countrey more eminent . These were such , who cared little for divulging their owne fame , so they might by their Actions gaine their countrey renowne .

Likewise to describe , the strange , and unexpected rising of some , Qui posteris fuere Nobilitatis initium , virtutis exemplum : Borne of nothing ; yet by some private endowments , either of insinuating , as the ignoble wits : or of State-observing , as those elated Natures , grieved ( as it were ) with the obscurity of their Birth , in seeing others lesse ( it may bee ) meritorious , ascend the Throne of highest honours ; possesse the eminentest places ; Honour the best , when it is deriued from our selues . in contempt and despite of Fortune , and humblenesse of Birth , crowde in the presse of the Honoured , if but for enobling their Countrey by their peculiar deserts . This was objected against Cicero , which he as sufficiently answered : Satius est me meis rebus gestis flo●ere , quàm majorum opinioni niti . Dependence of Ancestors conferre small or no glory to us , if our succeeding worth shew not a correspondency to our Predecessours glory . Tullus Hostilius , Tarquinius Priscus , Tullius Servius , Perpenna , and Terentius Varro , and that mirror of Countries loue , M. Pontius Cato : Their Births ignoble , yet they made their Cradles noble by their many deserving parts ; Characters of proper Nobili●y , not derived from their fathers greatnesse , but from their owne eminence . Nor haue there wanted others who degenerated from their Ancestors well-deserved Liues : Scipio Affrican , his Countreyes honour , leaues a Scipio the Monument of his owne dishonour : Fabius Maximus , a Sonne , for worthlesse respect , deserving the name of Fabius Minimus : Claudius Pulcher beautified with ornaments of mind , as well as body , makes his Countrey no lesse hopelesse by his birth , Degeneration . then renowned by himselfe . The like of Hortensius his Nephew , one least equalling so many deserved parts of his thrice glorious Ancestour : The one a professed prostitute to all licentious places , an arch-protector of Sensuality , having no other Clients , but noted Strumpets : The other a supporter of Equity , a resister of indirect proceedings , a mirror of continence in his time ; and one , second to none , saue Cicero , in promptnesse of Speech , and a present modestly-composed Eloquence . The like of Choranius a Roman Pretor , one of confirmed gravity and approved conversation ; yet left he a Sonne exposed to a prodigall course , and of an unnaturall disposition .

For Excellencies in this kinde , as many , no question , have beene by the injurie of time obscured , The praise of such , who raise a Family by their owne demerits . whose Names deserved much honour : So some haue bene so highly beholden to the Commendation of time , as they received as much honour to the full , as they deserved . For it were a rare and unexemplary Age , to finde all mens demerits equally ballanced .

Some have found fame breathing from those Actions , which never exprest worth : whilest others , from exploits of higher worth , never received fame .

But to descend to the praise of such who raise a Family by their owne demerits : M. Cicero . The Ground of this advancement ariseth generally from these three degrees : The Gowne , GOWNE the Sword , or some Mechanick Art . For the first , because that Prince of Oratory giues it priority , wee will speake of Gowne : And of such , as haue raised their Houses from nothing , by excelling in Elegancy of Speech , mannaging of judiciall Causes , and steering State-affaires ; being h●ld fit for their knowne abilities to be imployed that way .

Of this sort , amongst the Athenians we finde Demosthenes , Aeschines , Isocrates and Lysias .

Amongst the Romans , Carbo , Laetus , Emulation amongst men of note . Scipio Affricanus , Galba , Servius , Sulpitius , Cotta , Gracchus , M. Antonius , Crassus , Cicero , Salustius .

Amongst which there was ever some private Emulation : For Fame can endure no Corrivals . So as , their very publique pleadings were not freed from their Chidings . Demosthenes a plausive and powerfull Orator , having beene twitted and bitterly reproved by Aeschines for delivering in his Orations certaine unusuall words , answered him ; The fortunes of Greece depended not upon them . One taxed another of Effeminacy ; an other , his Opposite of too much Singularity ; The third , his Corrivall of Popularity . Sive praesentiā ejus timens , seu irâ commotus . Immoderate was the hate , unextinguishible the heate betwixt Cicero and Salust : So as , the one could not come into the presence of the other without passion . For as they were unequall in their descents , so were they equally addrest to entertaine all occasions of distast .

Whence we may conclude , that Wits bearing one levell , doe seldome agree in the maine building . So as , that may serue for a Maxim , what the merry Critick sometimes spake in jeast : A Cat with a Mouse , Two Cocks together in one house , and two Sister-inlawes together dwelling , can never liue without dissention . No more , two Eminent wits in one place ; but they must shew their Spirits either vpon the By or Maine . But to our former proposition ; if we shall but peruse the Lives of many of those eminent Orators , Athenian & Roman pleaders ; wee shall find their beginnings obscure ; their Meanes of rising small ; and for their outward parts weakely promising : yet , by their inward abilities they became a glory to their Countrey ; a renowne to themselves and their surviving posterity . This it was , that made Aristotle , that honour of Stagyra , so gracefull in the sight of Alexander : who , as he had Homer in all reverence for his heroicall Compositions ; So had he this Stagyrian for Philosophicall Speculation . This it was , Some of these , though they were not Coe taneans with these Princes , in living with them : yet were their workes , after their decease , highly endeared and honoured by them . that made Socrates so deare to Alcibiades . This it was , that made the workes of Zenophon so familiar to Affrican , Athenodorus his Annals to Octavian . Iosephus his incomparable Relations to Constantine .

But to adde one attribute more to the glory of those famous Orators before expressed : their strength and deserving height of Spirit merited no lesse approvement ; when , in their Opposition to the greatest Enemies of State , they stood constant for the liberty of their Countrey , and suppressing all such ( were they never so powerfull ) as fished in troubled Waters , or inclined to mutiny . So ready were their Tongues to defend by pleading ; So stout were their Spirits to represse Commotion : that as they delivered their minds by the one , So they were resolved to Sacrifice their Lives , to manifest to the World that they were not defectiue in the other . An Exemplary Lesson for all Ambi-dexters . In these times pleaded Merit in the Court of Iustice . Corruption was a stranger to the hand or heart of a Counsellour . Hee would not be seene in a Cause that would not beare weight ; Nor interesse himselfe in ought that might not conduce to the benefit of the State . Their just designes aymed neither at publique fame , nor private safety ; directing the whole bent of their Councels to the improvement and security of their Countrey .

In that Epitome of L. Florus collected from Titus Livius , we shall reade what natiue Enmity was ever conceived against such as corrupted justice , by people of all qualities : and this we shal find exemplifi'd in an Act of a Tragicall nature .

Bloody ( sayes the Epitomizer of that noble History ) was the slaughter which was made by the Germans upon their revolt from the Roman Empire , through the shady Woods and plashy marishes ; nothing more intolerable then the insultings of the Barbarous , specially against the pleaders at the Barre , plucking out the eyes of some , and lopping off the hands of other some ; One had his mouth stitcht up , after his tongue was first cut out , L Florus , l 4. C. Xij. which the Savage Actor grasping in his hand , sayd to it : Thou viper , at last giue over hissing . So did M. Antonies wife use Tullies tongue after his death , for pleading so boldly , and inveying so freely against her Husband in his life .

But these cruelties may be properly referred to the Savage disposition of an insulting people : Which , having got an usurped Authority into their owne hand , runne in a licentious liberty , to commit all Barbarisme : punishing the Offender , before they ever examined the quality of his offence .

But to discourse of the Civill government of the Romans , during their Democracy , as they were then Commanders of all neighbouring Nations : So they delighted in nothing more then advancing such , who employed their tongues or penns in defence of the publique liberty : bestowing not onely Titles on them , well suting their demerits ; but preferments too , to recompence their Service . This might be instanced in the Eminentst families that flourished amongst them in those times . For so thankfull was that victorious State to deserving men , as they held it not sufficient to bestow on them gracefull trophies & triumphs to honour them , living : but to erect Monuments in their Statuaries and Pulvinars , to their memory , dying .

The like honour conferred the Athenians upon their Consuls , Orators and Philosophers .

So the Ephori among the Spartans ( being the same that the Tribunes were among the Romans ) were elected not in respect of their descent but of their desert : which made a flourishing State ; seeing , there was none , were he never so ignoble by birth , but he received grace , if his inward abilities deserved such respect .

Nor were these meanes of advancement onely conferred on the Gowne ; SWORD . The Martiallist had his place as well as the Mercurist . Were hee never so meane a Plebeian , if hee deserved honour ; he was sure to haue it . If he were the first that mounted the Wall , he had a Coronet reserved for him . Were he the first that presented himselfe in the Siege ; or in a single Combat disarmed , and so surprized any Enemy ; or enter'd first the Enemies Tent ; or in any Sea-fight enter'd his Ship ; hee was sure to receiue his Guerdon . And if the honour of his Actions deserved any such eminent reward , hee was to come home in Triumph , for the reputation he had done unto his Countrey . Where it was usuall for those Persons , who were most eminent in the eye of the State to meet him in the way , and in all solemne and triumphant manner to conduct him to the Citty , with an ample relation of his fame , to beget a glorious enuy or emulation in his postert y.

Many of meanest ranke , by the noblenesse of their Spirits attained this honour . The State made no inquiry after their descents . Those they held worthiest of honour , who acquired it by Learning or Valour .

Memorable is the resolution of those Mysian Captaines , who stepping out before the Roman Armie , pray'd silence , and said ; Who are yee ? Answer was made ; Wee are Lords of the World . They r●plide , Yee may well say so , if you Conquer us . What rewards were bestowed on these for their approved Valour , we reade not in the History ; but no doubt such deserving Spirits could not in a Civill State liue ungratifi'de , nor dye unrecorded .

Hence it was , that Hiero that stout Syracusan , would have dyed in the ashes of his Country : so well deserved he of it ; it so well of him . Death was accounted a light suffering , to improve her her honour , from whom they had their being . They conceited of what weake Supporters , poore man stood ; his breath , how soone vading ; his glory , how soone declining : The whole Fabricke of his Fortunes , how soone shaking and shrinking . But Fame gain'd by glorious actions , they found to bee of more perpetuity . Nor could they esteeme any action more truely deserving , than that which requited her love , from whom themselves and predecessors had received life . Yea , they considered what advancement they had received from an obscure Family ; how should they then doe lesse than embarke themselves for all extreames , to requite the love of so endeared a Countrey ?

Lastly , many Families have raised their beginnings from Mechanick MECHANICKS . Arts , Sciences , and Mysteries . This may be quickly gathered by the names of some Romans aswel as other Nations ; who reteine to this day their appellations from their former Manuall professions . As the Family of the Pictors , from Painters ; of the Pistors , from Bakers ; of the Figuli , from Potters : with many others . And these in continuance of time , came to be eminent Families ; drowning their first beginnings in the depth of their greatnesse .

Yet in all those Liberall , with these Mechanicall Sciences ; as there were thriving dispositions to advance Families forth of dust ; So there were others , who even to dust reduced their advanced Families . Some apt to improve themselves forth of nothing ; others no lesse ready to bring their Fathers improvements to nothing .

In the inscriptions of their Natures we include the causes of their ends ; vertue being ( as we said before ) ever seconded with event answerable to her intent , either in the beginning , middle , or end . And certainly , whosoever should but read the desolations of the mightiest Empires , or their rising , shall see some appearance of causes proceeding from their government , occasions of their glory , or ruine . Nor can we ( without cause ) admire the erection and establishing of the Turkish Empire , The wonderfull establishing of the Turkish Empire . her many dilated Provinces , extended Confines ; and almost Soveraigne command in the Easterne parts . Let us but consider their politick government , subjecting all Lawes of Conscience , or Religion , to the furthering of their designes , planting their seat ( maugre the fury of all opponents ) in those floury and spacious territories , where once the sanctified feete of the sacred Apostles used to tread . Yet in their policies ( because not proportionate to vertue ) shall they bee subverted . They have erected themselves to an exceeding height , ( with the Gyants menacing the fabricke of heaven ; ) but their fall will be more miserable , by how much they be of miseries more incapable . For that Kingdome which is not established in peace , Arguments of the approaching Subversion of the Turkish State . shall be ruined by warre ; and where vertue had not her predominance , there shall the illimited rage of vice take her residence : and where shee is an inhabitant , there is imminent desolation menaced . To make explanation of causes in this , were needlesse , because the Seate of such a government is the occasion of her fall ; For ruine and extirpation have ever followed Impious Governours at the heeles . Yet in making use of this especiall Branch of History : Explanation of the discovery of causes , I will limit and restraine it to an assertaine bound . We must not search causes above their Natures ; there be many hidden and concealed reasons , which to enquire after were unlawfull ; Concealed reasons not to be searched . much lesse to wade into the secret conventions of that sacred Power , from whom all visible and apparant causes borrow their light .

What we may gather by authentick relation , or probable imagination , may without prejudice , or errour , be produced . As for supernaturall causes , the more we sound them , the more we sound into the shallownesse of our owne judgements ; never further from apprehending them , than when we seeme to apprehend them .

This inscrutable depth He well observed , ☜ We are not to pay too curiously into the sealed Cabinet of Gods Counsell . who being demaunded what God was , required some time to resolve that question . And still the longer he thought of it , the farther he was from it . So as , in the end he assoiled this demaund with a new question . Friend , you have imposed me a taske , and I have studied how to resolve it : And my desire is to injoyne you an other , I pray you assoile it . Apud Poetas Deorum Pharetrae Operculum habuere , humanae non item . G. H. in Orat. What is it , sayd he ? how long would it be ere you should draine the Ocean dry with a Sive ? Why ? never , ( sayd he . ) Nor shall I ever ( replied he ) returne an answer to your question . I demaunded of you some time , but an Eternity of time will never resolve it : being farther of at this time , then when I first required time .

Our usefullst and best knowledge in these Divine Secrecies , consists in the acknowledgment of our owne weaknesse . That Sacred-Secret Consistory is not to be searched ( because sealed ) with too much curiosity . We have many of our Artists some-thing too familiar with these privacies : prying too curiously into the Sealed Cabinet of Gods Councell . Sublunary things are too low Objects for their knowledge . They must shine in an higher Spheare .

These can positively speake ( as if inspired with some extraordinary illumination ) when the World shall be dissolved . Nor ground they their assertions on conjectures ( if you may beleeve them ) all is apparent to them , as if they were presented in a perspective glasse .

Geometricians and Astrologers affirme , as those who have measured Hell , Earth , and Heaven with their Dimensions , Proportions , Poizes , and Astrolabes ; that Hell containes in Compasse seaven thousand , eight hundred and sixty five thousand Miles : In depth or Latitude , two thousand , five hundred and five Miles : In distance from us , three thousand , sixe hundred and fifty eight miles . But the World , which we inhabit , that is , the whole Earth , they say it containes in greatnesse thirty thousand , and a thousand five hundred Miles : and in Latitude or profundity , that is , from the Antipodes unto us , ten thousand and twenty two Miles . Then , that the Empyrean Heaven , which is the place of the Blessed , they say it containes in compasse ( ô immensity ! ) ten thousand , three hundred and foureteene Millions , eighty five thousand , and sixe hundred ten miles : in depth or latitude , three thousand sixe hundred Millions of Miles . And betwixt us and this Heaven , in distance one thousand sixe hundred ninty Millions , nine hundred twenty five thousand , and five hundred Miles .

But this may be supposed far above the compasse of their Iacobs-staffe Their eyes , I conceive , Non est fam●liaritus h●minibus cum Coe●●s . Plin. to be too weake to pierce into the Mansions of Heaven

Lower Dimensions are fitter for the strait circumference of their understanding .

The way to measure Heaven , is to decline from Earth ; and to elevate our thoughts to that Caelestiall Spheare , where we may gloriously shine and Eternally rest .

He is the best Astrologer , who converseth more with Heaven in Spirituall affections , then instrumentall dimensions : who becomes more familiar with Heaven , by his elevation of piercing thoughts , then prying eyes . This that learned Euclid well observed , when being asked a saucy question touching the Divine Presence , by too curious or inquisitive a Questionist , modestly answered : For other things I know but little , thus much I know , that the Gods hate those that are curious .

Aug. This that Divine Father ( the glory of the Easterne Church ) with much spirituall zeale expressed , when being on a time asked ; What God did before he made the world , answered him home : " He was preparing Hell for such as Hee , who too curiously pried into his Secrets .

The only way to rectifie this Errour , is for man to descend into himselfe . An excellent receipt for all such as labour of too much singularity . For then upon acknowledgement of his owne vilenesse , he will let fall his Traine : humble himselfe in the consideration of his owne wants : and close his resolves with this conclusion : Thus much I know , that I know nothing : how then should I dare to aspire with too curious an eye , to looke into his Secrets , who made all things of nothing ?

Now to the third , that is , judgement in distinguishing things , by approving the best , and disallowing the contrary .

Dijudication of Histories , Dijudication of Histories . or judgement in distinguishing the approvedest , proceedes from a mature understanding .

In this Historicall Scale we must banish all lacivious and petulant wits , conversant about froathy and licentious obscenities . The Workes of an Historian should be Monuments of Antiquity , true Heralds of Acts ; either prosperously , or insuccessively atchieved : and not foments to lust , inducements to sensuality . Two sorts there be which eclypse an Historians glory : Two sorts of Discourses eclipsing the glory of an Historian . 1. Sensuality . from the one we reape the harvest of shame , where characters of Myrrah , and Venus ( the wantons votaries ) are deblazoned in their colours : yet in their descriptions more pernitious to easily-inclined youth , than ever Archilochus was to the Spartan dames . Poore Albion hath laboured too long of this impostume ; such Historians must either be exiled , or the Common-wealth must of necessity bee depraved . Vice hath too many supporters , without the furtherance of Authors . From the other , 2. Impertinency . there redounds no other benefi● , than impertinent inquisitions of strangely-sought out Antiquities ; so precise in description , so curious in foundation , and so selfe-opinionate of their owne writings , as they oft-times doe onely ( Haerere in verbis ) omitting the Substance to set out ( with Phydias ) the shadow : search of a fruitlesse Antiquity , occasioning a contempt in the body of the History . As in the foundation of a City , neglecting the materiallest parts of the discourse ; as upon what occasion the City was rather erected there , than in another place ; by what meanes it was augmented , how continued ; and other necessary circumstances omitted ; they insist upon affaires of lesse consequence ; finding out where the first stone was laid , when the foundation of such a City was digged . This causes oftentimes great Volumes , with small benefit to the Reader ; and indeede rather implies an affecting-opinion in the Author , of pleasing himselfe , than others .

Ancient Records are necessarily inserted in Histories ; but such are to be supported by truth , including a necessary relation to the Subject whereof he intreats . Otherwise , such Antiquities ( as for selfe-pleasing ) are produced , expresse nothing . Prater plebeïum & inutilem quendam opinionis succum . These be rather opinionists than Historians .

These two kindes ( like Ianus face ) stand contrary-waies : the one sort ( to wit the first ) are Charons best Factors , they trafficke for a Ladies bon-voyage to hell ; there s not a line in all their writings , that tastes of modesty , or relish of vertue : If Pluto and his Angels had not one she-Prophet , nor State-moppet within all his dominions , to make his Empire Noble : yet these Brothell-Authors ( for better I cannot name them ) would by their Lime-twigges , furnish his ( Malasperanza ) with a full saile . My Lady here sits and reads wonders at the ingenuity of the man , ( a pregnant youth doubtlesse , ) and will make her pregnant too , if shee have any moving faculty in her ; his best character is the Schoole-master of folly , the introducer of sensuall liberty , extinguisher of pure love , experienced instructer to lust , harbourer of illimited desires ; and consequently harbenger to the Divell . As the Martin will not build , but in faire houses , so this man will not live , but in the ruines of honour : he is too conversant in the Court , too familiar in the City , and sometimes too willingly entertained in the Countrey . His Penne , as it is mercinary , so his labours pernitious ; his state labours of penury ( and he would raise it ) his soule of a Lethargy , but seekes not to redeeme it . To be briefe ( for such a Subject is not worthy dilating on ; ) As Augustus banished Naso to Naxos , and his depraved workes to the darkest corner of his study : so should these petulant Wits be expulsed every well-governed , Common-weale , and their prostitute Labours sustaine Eupolis censure .

How highly other States have suffered in giving too much liberty to these unseasoned wits , ☜ Light & wanton works are to be exiled in every Civill State . might be amply enlarged , if our present discourse requir'd it . No doubt but Rome , even in her highest glory , when nothing but Successe breathed on her attempts abroad , and private affaires at home : Then , and never more than at that time , were light and wanton workes , which a civill Estate should have proscribed , highly honoured , the Authors of those Motives to effeminacy advanced ; whereas , if their Censors had duely intended their charge , they would have held them fitting to have beene exiled , their workes to fire committed . So might that corruption of manners , which proceedes oftimes from such vicious Pamphletters , have beene prevented : and Morality better observed .

But why should we looke so farre backe , when we labour of the like malady at home ? what high Patrons have present ages found for lightest Labours ? where such as corrupted youth , received more approvement , then those who corrected the loosenesse of affections .

It was a good Custome , when such Authors as published any Workes , had them not onely censoriously perused and scanned ; but if it appeared , that they contayned in them more occasions of prejudice to the State then benefit ; those Workes were not onely to be suppressed , but the Composers of them duly censured .

Their manner of proceeding was thus : Such passages as were usefull , or any way beneficiall , were in papers piece-meale , layd upon one pile : Those which were noxious or malignant , bestowed on an other pile : and both these put in two Scales : where if those of the right handpile ( which ever conduced to the improvement of the State ) weighed downe those papers which were on the left-hand pile , their Labours were permitted to passe , and their Authors , according to the quality of that Subject , whereof they wrote , amply rewarded : If otherwise , their Workes were suppressed , and their Authors chastised . In which Scrutine , no question , but many Authors had Batillus fate ; they received more fillups then Crownes ; more censures then rewards .

The opinion of a serious and discreete judgement ever closeth in this : Learning never but then deserves the Laurell , when it is vertuously fruitfull . Learning never but then deserves the Lawrell , when it is vertuously fruitfull . A light Dresse , be it never so neatly suited , carryes ever lightnesse with it . And the more it takes a deluded eye , though it please it selfe , the more it detracts from it selfe . The like we may say of these Venders , or bold adventurers of loose Labours . Be they never so trimly decked , nor artfully polished ; Laïs will be Laïs still . ☜ The trimming will not alter the property of the stuffe . Nor can lightnesse , bee it never so smoothly carried ; neatly varnished ; nor cunningly palliated ; keepe her Vizard still on . There will be some piercing judgement or other to bring to discovery a shrouded errour . Nor deserve those Workes onely reproofe , who treat of light love ; ( though they be dangerous Familiars to haunt Ladies ) but such who are tuned to an higher key , and either unprofitably , or which is worse , prophanely abuse their captiv'd Hearers . Amongst these , may be numbred our Chymick Professors : Chymick Opinionists . who hold it not sufficient ( by strange Elixirs ) to reduce their owne fortunes to nothing ; unlesse they with their miserable conclusions , perplexe their simple admirers . Where , if a cleare-discerning judgement should take a more exact view of their ungrounded reasons , they would soone conclude , that those arguments which they offer , not unlike their adulterate Mettals , are soulder'd with Amalga , ☜ and have more Moone than Sunne in them . These have got a tricke to slight all miracles of Divine Writte : holding with Albumazar , that Moses his leading the Children of Israel over the Red-Sea , was no more but observing the influence of the Starres , and waining season of the Moone that withdraweth the Tides .

These are Subjects so incapable of priviledge , as they deserve the highest censure . I spare to speake of our Statizing Pamphletters , who shadowingly ( to free themselves from State-scandall ) deblazon some eminent Families by their Armes , Coate , or Fields : for which , some both Ancient and Moderne Historians have beene highly taxed . As likewise of such , who under borrowed names have strucke at high Personages : which might be aptly compared to cowardly Curres , who use to bite Passengers by the heeles , whom they dare not looke upon in the face .

State Stigmatists . As such who delight to ungorge their passionate spleane upon Recreations of indifferency , for no other cause , but because they are countenanc'd by Majesty . The last , being not the least , Factious Questionists . Non habet charitatem , qui non amat unitatem . I account such , who spend much precious Oyle to enwreath and enwarpe the time in their Fopperies . These are Controversiall Men , who rather than they will suffer the Church to be at Peace ; will study new doubts to disturbe her quiet . Aug. These will rather stirre than stay quarrels : for , howsoever they seeme to pretend Unity ; their affection tends to dissention : being of the slimy nature of such Fishes , as cannot live but in muddy and troubled waters .

That word Nisi in this sentence , nisi manducaveritis carnem , set all the Counsell of Basil in an uprore . That word Donec , as Ioseph non agnovit Vxorem suam Donec , caused the Antidicomaritans and Elusians to deny the perpetuall Virginity of the Virgin Mary .

Thus quicke-fiery wits , carryed away with the spirit of Contradiction , preferring Singularity before Conscience , Errour before Truth , so they may finde Shadowes to follow them , will finde cumbustible matter enough to the havocke both of Church and Common-weale : Not onely our Humane but Ecclesiasticall Histories are stored with various instances of this kinde . The Scope we aime at , is this : that such Workes , whether they be Historicall , Morall or Divine , are onely , upon Censure to be approved , by which the State may be usefully improved : all others to be rejected , because they are either by Scurrilous or Factious Braine-wormes hatched .

For the other , as none yeeld or afford more benefit to their Countrey , than laborious and judicious Antiquaries : so trifling and opinionately-conceited Historians may benefit themselves , but hardly can communicate the best of their knowledge unto others . Opinion is a maine Opponent to Judgment : the one guided ( or rather drawne ) by a precipitate will , the other disposed by the directing eye of Reason . Opinion ( Lesbian-like ) frames their Line by their worke , and not their worke by their line : but Judgment hath ever ( Cleanthes-like ) a Table equally mixed or furnished with services of Arete & Pomona , Vid. Hesiod . in Noct. & Dic. Vertue and Pleasure : the one to profit , the other to delight : Which equally-mixed Judgment should be especially conversant in Censurers of Histories ; they must not doe , as it is reported of Valerius Maximus , inhibite many things in the Evening , which hee would approve of in the Morning , and command that to be enacted one houre , which he would be ashamed to confirme the next houre . A setled and wel-seasoned judgment will with Circumspection , not so much censure a modest digression in a History , as the use which may be made of that digression ; nor taxe any thing in a faithfull Historian , though he shadow at the corruptions of the Age with bitternesse : for oyly and temporizing tongues , are nourishers of these vicious and irregular times ; Sicut Best ●e in Eremo , ita Gentiles in mundo . Greg. in Moral . 29 Cap. 18. where , as Beasts in the Desart , so men live in the World : nor be Censurers to taxe such things for impossibilities , because they have not heard of the like ; nor such Relations as false , which have not occurred to their readings . For how should wee give credit to those incredible attempts of former times , where Victories were atchieved with lesse adoe , than May-games in these times ? To see Anthaeus renewing his strength , and doubling his force by falling : those magnanimous Romans erecting their spirits most when they were nearest declining . I have ever observed these times , as they second the first in gradation , so they stand inferiour to the first in exploits and managements of resolution . Censures should be ballances equally and evenly disposed ; neither inclining to partiall affectation of person or state ; but ready to give approbation where the verity of Discourse , and sincerity of the Author gives his Pen free scope to curbe Errour , and attribute to Vertue her merited Titles . Alas , that Censurers should be either so engaged to the servile command of popular glory , or tyed to great mens sleeves , that the Historians Labours must be razed , which Truth would have raised ! Vertue hath in her selfe a soveraigne end , to which all Liberall Arts and Sciences ( in themselves truely noble , and meriting honour ) have their aime and recourse .

This occasions Learning to be neglected , and the exact scrutinie of ancient Records ( than the which nothing more beneficiall ) to be suppressed , or at least , not a little darkned : when a Rhadamanth , or Critick Censurer must have the corrections of our industrious Labours , and judicious Volumes : which ( to feed his owne indigested humour ) must be subject to many frivolous interlacings . Comes Victoriae , fomes injuriae ; famula famae , fama familiae . But Patience ( which is Comes sapientiae , non famula concupiscentiae ) must be the poore Historians supporter , making use oftimes abuse , and applying this salve to his misery , which the Poët inferred , as cause of Romes subversion and calamity : Virg. in Aene ad . Prima peregrinos obscaena pecunia mores intulit —

That Critick Menippus , who was ever so definite in his owne opinion , as the whole course of his discourse relished nothing better then opposition . And to affront the Time wherein hee lived , with more boldnesse , scorning to comply eyther with Time or Person for his owne advantage , wished , like an indiscreet Malecontent , that his Pen were a Needle , and his Paper a Nettle ; yea , and his Inke Aconitum , that hee might throw more poyson on the face of immerited honour : and consequently , leave to posterity surviving stamps of his invective nature : would sometimes use , amongst other subjects of his discontent , to take occasion to fall upon a free reproofe of rigid Censurers : whose judgement ( as his mis-guided opinion suggested ) only consisted in razing Labours , and disheartning Authors : while their innocentst lines were oft mis-construed , their sense corrupted . Menippus his reproofe of rigid Censurers ; whose judgement onely consists in razing Labours , and disheartening Authors : while their innocētst Lines are oft misconstrued ; their sence corrupted

But this waspish Author by using his too much freedome of censure to his Censurer , who had authority to peruse and suppresse , where hee found cause , perceiving himselfe traduced , deservingly restrain'd what else might have beene published : with silencing only , chastising his Errour , to beget in him a more temperate censure . Truth is , it were prepostrous for an Author to assume to himselfe so much boldnesse , as to take upon him the place of a Moderator to his Censurer . The assumption of lesse liberty will suite better with his Discretion and Modesty : and purchase him a demerited esteeme with such grave and censorious Authority : whose place is so much more to be honoured , in regard they are deputed by the State as Surveyers and Discussers of our Labours : Perusing with a judicious eye , and correcting with a discreete Penne ; to the end , no exception might be taken by the State , no prejudice redound to the Author , no corruption of manners to the Reader , nor opinion of neglect to the Censor .

Which course , were it not duely and exactly observed , what inconvenience might probably follow , there is none of a cleare and equall judgement but may easily perceive . For if freedome were given to wanton and luxurious Wittes to write what they would , Aretines Tables would receive from every light eye more admiration for true attractive beauty , than the most Serious Piece that ever was writ either in Philosophy , Oecononicall policy , or History . No ; we should have our Stationers stalls covered with Libells : where the most integrious Spirit might become no lesse subject to a Calumnious Penne , than He , whose rising growth hath exprest it selfe in nothing more from his infancy , than in the increase of vice , and practise of villany .

It is the Authority then of a Censurer , that many times deterres a wandring Penne from his freedome of errour . So as , by being regulated by such Licence , he becomes lesse licentious in the course and current of his Writing .

Nay , there is one thing more , which I shall onely glance at , purposely to induce the ingenuous Author , as he values the estimate of his owne honour , to submit himselfe to the candid censure of his Licencer . And it is this ; no doubt , but the too opinionate conceite of every Author complies with the positive judgement of the Orator : " Writers doe ever doate most of their owne . How needefull then is it , for them to have more indifferent eyes than their owne , lest they delude themselves most , by being too affectionately taken with their owne ? The Beare is as much enamoured of her Cubbe , though of all others , the roughest ; as the Bever is of his , being of all others , the smoothest . And thus much in the vindication of the honour of a just Censor . And how an impartiall eye may save the Author from much dishonour . Yet to speake a word or two , so it trench not too much upon their power , I hold it not amisse . The benefit may redound no doubt , being received as it is intended , both to the Writer and Censurer .

Many ( which I have formerly touched and taxed ) like some of our German Authors , set forth huge Colosian Bulkes , fadomelesse volumes ( and if fatherlesse too , more credit to their fathers ) but they have Bodies without Spirits , Videntur Libri donec inspexeris . They beare the Cover and Semblance of Bookes on them , till you looke in them . Then , and never till then , they shew what mettall they are made of . Leane Labours , from fat Authors .

It is commonly said , that Law , Logicke and the Switzers may bee hired to fight for any one . Whatsoever they may bee , apparent it is , by their numerous fruitlesse Editions , that these will enter lists with any Antagonist , upon the least occasion . No Subject but must have their paines and Pennes bestowed on it . Huge intricate Commentaries , to make the Text more difficult . With some of these I have encounter'd , and for ought I could perceive by the Genuine Sence of their interpretation , they were so farre from the understanding of the Author they wrote on , as they might be sent to schoole againe , to learne to conster him , before they commented on him .

The like exuberance is many times showne by many of these , in their lighter composures : wherein , for most part , they offend least . For weake wits bestowed on weighty Subjects , erre most . I have heard of a trifling Pamphletter of this kinde , who after such time , as he had spent much waste Paper inventing some weake vapours of his owne ; wherein he was ever no lesse constant in the choyce of his Patron to whom he Dedicated them , than he was in compiling those corky Subjects which hee addressed to him : presenting one day another light toy ; his Patron having perused the Title , and divers passages in it , requited his Dedication with this witty Jeere : Truely friend , quoth hee , you have writ many foolish toyes in your time , but of all that ere you yet writ , this passeth them all . The poore Author highly taken with this commendation , not without great joy , reported the worthy entertainment he received from his Patron : and how highly to his honour , he had commended his Labour .

Now to our Censurer ; as his place inferres a priority of judgement , so I would have him to distinguish of the utility of Labours . These , who spend time , oyle and paper to purchase them the Title of Authors : let them be privatly reprov'd , in daring to present such poore stuffe before the face of a publicke State . The common English Proverbe is ; " Better it is to sit idle , than worke idle . This may be properly applyed to them . Their fruitlesse expence of Time and Paper makes them farre more uselesse to the State , than if they wholly retired themselves from Labour . Truth is , these deserve no censure ; they are placed in too low a Siege . A milde reprofe will better beseeme them ; telling them , how by all likely-hood , if any such should be suffer'd to goe abroad , or receive priviledge by authority , the next time that either he or any of his family should goe to the Grocer for their spicery , little doubt but some of his shaken leaves would bee return'd him , with sweeter contents than ever he bestowed on them .

Whereas SUCH , whose earely and late Studies have highly improved their knowledge , and whose discretion ( a small graine whereof would be very usefull to many of our Schollers ) hath sufficiently inform'd them what is fit or accommodate for the time ; be the Subjects they treate of History , Antiquity , or other Diviner Elements : these , I say , well deserve the encouragement of a judicious Censor . For to use the words of our Moderne Democritus : I thinke all the Anticyrae will not restore them to their Wits , if these men now , that have Zenodotus Heart , Crates Liver , Epictetus Lanthorne , be so sottish , and have no more braines than so many Beetles , what shall we think of the Commonalty ? what of the rest ? you may give that Censure of them in generall , which Sr. Thomas Moore once did of Germanus Brexius Poëms in particular : — Vehuntur In rate stultitiae , Sylvam habitant Furiae .

If Learning and Discretion be not sufficient to make up an Author ; what may wee expect from him that ha's neither ?

Some of our Censurers have heretofore beene not unlike to some of our active Lawyers ; who in perusing of their Clients pleadings , usually razed out what was most pertinent : but afterwards upon a more setled judgement , wrote STET in the Margent , to all that which they had formerly razed .

Multi dum castigant , castrant ; dum mutant , mutilant . Many , too many , while they seeme to correct , they distract ; while they alter , they torture .

But approved Censors are of another nature ( of which we were never better furnished in a competent number : ) for these are of that true touch , as neither gaine may corrupt them , nor the Authors person worke upon them , but the worth of the worke : this onely hath power to procure a priviledge from them .

But let me stay a little , that I may make an end the sooner ; ere I proceed to the true distinguisher of Histories , I must caution two sorts of Men , which ( in their Reading ) pervert the use and scope of History , Two sorts of sinister Readers of History . 1. Curious . by a malevolent disposition , either bred in them by nature , or ingendred by custome , a second nature : the one foolishly precise , whose behaviour ( as one observeth ) are like a verse , wherein every sillable is measured ; or like your Spaniards aspect , who wil not smile beyond a point , for feare to unstarch his looke .

These cannot taste any thing well , that is not absolute ; yet for their judgement a Venetian Asse may out-strip them : Superbire est supra regulam ire . He is ( unmeasurably proud ) wise in his owne conceite , hath an Orbe in his braine , An Opinionate Reader , an incompetible Censor of an others Labour . which ever turning round , makes his judgement braine-sicke .

The other , farre more intollerable , because more troubled with the rising of Spleene : hee detracteth from the best , and finds Scruples in infallible truths ; 2. Calumnious . his owne judgement , as it is defective , so it envies others , maturer in the height of understanding , and more exact in the ancient Surveies of Truth . But as Fortitude of body derives her Essence from the imbecility of the Minde , and the ability of the Minde from the debility of the body : So the Authors glory is oft-times revived , and augmented by the sting of Detraction , as the Detractors infamy by the Authors glory : Vertue alone is crowned , Vertue in her selfe , Haec est quae f●cit hominem Deum , &c. Seneca . is of all possessed : She it is alone by which Man is Eternized . This is She that steeres the poore Historians Barke against all oppositions . In this Harbour therefore may I repose , leaving the depraved Reader to the distemprature of his owne humor , and betaking my selfe to my propounded Taske .

We must walke in a more modest path for judgment in the relation of every act that is done ; Deliberation needfull in Histories of maine consequence . we ought to use a kind of deliberation , consulting with our owne intimate understandings , and aske them whether such an Act is worthy memory , or no : for many things wee see and read , which Discretion would rather have omitted , than to Writing committed ; wee have occasion sometimes to unrip the tyrannick lives of Princes , and their illimited affections , of dissolute governments , and to what peculiar vices most engaged ; yet in the summary rehearsall of these vice , we doe oft-times ( as an excellent Historian hath well observed ) Instruere malos , teach men to be evill , instructing them in the exercise of those impieties , with which before they were scarce acquainted .

Vice is of that spreading and propagating nature , ☜ Discovery of Vices abroad , many times instruct us in the very same at home . as no infection can more dangerously or fatally rage in any populous City , than her contagion in the flourishing City of the Soule . And so proclive is our Nature to the worst ; as we receive it with farre more easie impression , than that which relisheth of the best .

That Italian Lover , who found his Mistresse so mutable , could in the extremity of his passion ( as what passion more violent or more permanent ) cry out : Our Italian Dames had never beene acquainted with such disdaine , nor entertained their Servants with such contempt , nor rejected them with such Selfe-content , had they not beene instructed by inconstant Cassandra to love in jeast and loath in earnest .

Which implied thus much : That nothing could more prejudice either publique or private Estates , then to be fraughted with Forraine vices .

Many men of maturest experience , have and doe give way to sensual obedi nce . Many States are best secured by intelligence ; but by the knowledge of others Vices , few or none . Youth is a dangerous taking thing , and apt to be nibling at any baite that is throwne out : yea , and many of maturest judgements , whose long experience in the World , might have sufficiently inform'd them , that the hopes of Earth are failing ; the Honours of Earth fading ; all the faire-flourishing promises of this empty World deceiving : Yet , hearing such an Eminent Statist in an other Country advanced , they cannot so moderate their affections , but they must expostulate with their owne overweening Spirits ; and on the silent night , when more composed minds can enjoy their freedome of rest ; and allay the labours of a preceeding day with the untroubled sleepes of a succeeding night ; These feele an Aetna within them ; others Triumphs become their Tortures ; others Honours their Furies .

☞ Pompey , that loyall but unfortunate Roman , being combred with his honour , and wearied with too glorious a Servitude , exclaimed to see Sylla's cruelty , being ignorant after what sort to behave himselfe in the dignity hee had ; he cryes out amaine , forth of the consideration he had to an usurped Tyranny , with a ☜ serious reflexe had to humane misery : O perill and danger never like to have end !

But unconfined spirits , whose thoughts are solely fixt on aëry structures ; will not suffer their aspirings to be so bounded : nor the voluptuous his sensuall affections to be so couped : nor the poore Groundling to have his Earthy-tasting appetite so sated . These , as they peruse the Mappe of the World ; they cull out what may please them best ; though the issue afflict them most . As to instance in each of these ; The high-minded Man loves to informe himselfe in the Progresse of such Mens actions ; I hold him for stupid , who for feare of Death , dyes all his life-long : And him for wicked , who lives without feare of it , as if there were none at all . whose aimes have beene no lower then Empires . They conceive their supportance to be as great ; their Meanes as direct ; their wayes as smooth . Flattering and deceiving hopes lull them a sleepe ; they will not so much as suffer their thoughts to converse with Feare , or labour prevention of a fall , before their practise faile . Then , and never till then , they exercise the true knowledge of Man . Then they lament , what they cannot recall ; so precipitate is that cliffy tracke , where unbounded height walkes .

Now observe a little , whence the Occasion springs , which with winged speed brings on these inevitable miseries ! I confesse , though many dispositions be naturally inclined to these indiscreete aimes : yet are they quickned much with Examples of others .

This moved a neighbouring Prince ; ( one , whose personall prowesse hath worthily inrolled him in the Booke of Fame ) sometime to send a Noble and Eminent Personage hither ; whose many arguments of Valour had gain'd him esteeme enough with his Prince ( had his loyall thoughts so well deserv'd it ) onely to see and observe the censure and cloze of an high Spirit . Hoping , that such ocular objects would worke strongly upon his deluded thoughts : and bring him to a consideration of himselfe by presentments of feare , what his illimited height would not suffer him to thinke upon , with all those ample gratifications of love .

Most certaine it is , that the Survey of others actions produce wonderfull effects , according to the disposition of the Peruser or Spectator . For , as ill-affected spirits , who alwayes plant their hopes on unjust grounds ; and bring their indirect aymes to unhappy ends : are ever dreaming of stirring heads , whose constantst endeavour it was ever to disquiet the peace of the State : and craving no better Medal's about them , then those of Bessus and Nabarzanes , mold their designes by such pernitious Patterns . So well-affected dispositions never eye ought with more attention , nor reteine ought with more constancy than the Loialty of such as preferred their Countries Fame before their owne Life : desiring rather to dye than it should perish . A constant Curtius ; a resolute Horatius ; an affectionate Zopyrus ; a couragious Codrus are these mens Objects . Their Vertues they unfainedly wish may be their Patterns . These cry out with the Tragedian : Nulla vis major Pietate vera est . Sen. in Thiest . " No power so pure , as stedfast Piety .

Againe , to a youthfull affection , there can be no sight , in the perusall of all Plutarch , like Alcibiades wantoning in Timandra's lappe . Nor in all Suetonius , like those uncomely lascivious presentments before Nero : a thought whereof could not chuse but beget a Vermillion-blush , a glowing shame in any modest eare . Which , to omit the rest , in my Judgment , were not sitting to be suffer'd to passe in any free state . Passages there are ( as I have else-where noted ) full of Obscoenity : and lyes open an entrance for unstay'd Youth to feed too liberally upon such inhibited delights . Such therefore , were much better to be shadowed , than so freely discovered : Seeing , Forraigne vices become nat'ralized , and made ours by imitation . Discovery of Vices abroad , many times instruct us in the very same at home .

Should two Embassadours come hither ; one from Sidon , another from Tyre ( as one wittily observeth ) and should vye in Vanity , as they sometimes envied one anothers glory ; we should collect , that no State-affaires drew them hither , but rather to shew the vanity of one Countrey to the other : Which if we our selves should admire , in very truth we were madder than either .

True it is , there is nothing either in matter of Discourse , Employment , Reading ; or what Recreation soever , but that soly workes upon us , which sutes with our humour , or delights us .

Alexander being much in love with Apelles , as one highly rapt with the exquisitenesse of his Art , proposed him that Modell for a Taske , which he of all others affected most ; commanding him on a time to paint Campaspe , a beautifull Woman , naked : Which Apelles having done , such impression wrought the Picture ( an inimitable Piece in so nearly tracing Nature ) on the affection of the Artist , as Apelles fell in love with her , which Alexander perceiving , gave him her .

There is nothing which wee intentively eye , and by the Crany of the eye convey to our heart , but our Fancy like another Apelles , easily findes a Table for that Portraiture . Let Vertue then be our Campaspe ; otherwise , that Table which should be reserved for the purest Deity , will be taken up with the impression of some lighter Fancy .

Lastly , the Earth-taken Soule , who constantly holds Avicens Aphorisme , that Gold is the best Restorative ; admires Achans Wedge ; Alcmaeons Store ; huggs them in the happy fruition of their state : meane time , holds Anacharses Temperance ; Anacreons Moderation fitter for the Wildernesse than the World . These read nothing in this kind , but they make use of it : but the use is ever perverted . Examples they finde to authorize their basenesse : these they reteine ; but little care take they how to cure them , by applying usefull Receipts to remove those spreading evills .

A Masters vice corrupts his Family . Corrumpunt vttorum exempla domestica — Hor.

So sayes the Poët . No vice more retentive than vicious Writing : it corrupts the Judgment by Apologizing Vice with a forraigne President .

That was an excellent Rule of Direction to regulate our forme of Speech : Quò taces , modò proficias ? Quò non taces , si minùs pr●ficias ? If thy Speech may improve others , why art thou silent ? If it neither behove thy selfe nor others , why art thou not silent ? The same course is to be observed in our forme of writing : Hoc rempe ab homine exigitur , ut prosit hominibus si fieri potest , multis ; si minus , paucis ; si minùs proximis ; si minùs , sibi . Senec. de vitâ beatâ . " If by our Pen we may profit our selves , it is well ; if some few others as well as our selves , it is better ; if all , it is the best ; if none , Silence enjoynes the Workman to take his rest . In one word , as some things are necessarily to be remembred , so others no lesse necessarily to be omitted . And with farre more Discretion may they in their Embrio be silenc'd by the Author ; then after such time as they are published , to be supprest by Censure .

That memorable Law-giver being demanded what punishment was to be inflicted on him , who should chance to slay his Father or Mother : hee answered them with , Haud equidem puto , &c. I doe not thinke there can be any 〈◊〉 so unnaturall disposition .

Acts silenced sometimes doe better than if expressed : for the Curtaine of vices drawne , moves Imitation rather than Evitation .

In distinguishing also of things good and necessary from their contraries , wee should not mixe triviall Discourses in our maine Relation : they much impaire and disparage the weight of an History , Strange novelties draw attentiō , move approbation , if probability be mixed in the Discourse . distracting the Readers minde with impertinencies , where the Subject might of it selfe be better prosecuted ; nor can any thing shew more indiscretion in an Author , than these vagaries , where attention can no way be moved , the expectances of men satisfied , or a reall delight with profit apprehended . Attention ( as that eloquent Orator noteth ) is there the quickest , where wee promise to speake of things , great , new , un-usuall ; or such affaires as may conduce to the benefit of the Common-weale , to the establishing of Religion , Piety , or the like .

Now such serious Discourses ( in themselves grave and ponderous ) are not to be mixed with every frivolous digression ; the Body of the History being solid , should not depend of weake and infirme members : which might seeme to resemble the Roman Colosse , of an huge proportion in body , but feeble feet ; so as one day the frame of the whole was demolished by the debility of one part . Yet in this grace and firme Composition , there must be one necessary Caveat inserted : that whensoever we draine the approbation of our Discourse ( as from many , and those to our Judgment of the selected Authors ) we reconcile their Opinions , and make one united Body of so many dispersed parts . This I thought to caution ( as well the Histories perusers , as the generallest Collectors of ) because I have observed this foule errour ( and that in both Ancient and Moderne Relations ) where divers Authors were cited , Opinions drawne from divers Auth rs should be reconciled . and their severall Opinions marshalled on a row : but as in a battell , when the wings be broken , there ensueth nought but an universall confusion ; so without reconcilement in the conclusion , he leaves the Reader in suspence , whose opinion to entertaine ; because not directed by the Author . A double defect , Obstinate and Ignorant .

This implies a double defect ; either from stupidity , not able to distinguish ; or from a pertinacy , not willing to communicate his Judgment to others . The latter is more intollerable than the first ; for the one includes a native defect , ( which hee would remedy if his Apprehension could better it . ) The other a malicious desire of ingrossing knowledge to himselfe ; though both unworthy of an Historicall place : for Ignorance deserves small entertainment in so judicious an Argument : and a perverse disposition much lesse , concealing his knowledge from his Countrey , which by his Subject ( it seemes ) he intended to benefit . In distinguishing likewise , we should ever observe to cull out such perspicuous Sentences as comprehend most , yet least in affectation : for such taste ever of singularity . Vid. Aul. Gel. in Noct. Attic. Hortensius was called by Pythias ( for his too much gesturing ) a profest Mimick , a Dionysian : Words should be accommodate to the matter , not the matter to the words . the same Title may be given our curious Relators : they binde their Subject to their words , esteeming no discourse in it selfe worth judicious observation , but what is replenished and full fraughted with polite sentences , making the matter indebted to the superficiall Art of the Composer .

☞ What dresse , both for choise of Words , and disposition of Phraze , best becomes an History . You shall read in many Historians a singular kinde of state , the forme and order of their Relations , observed : Neither shall you finde in that Style any such affected State , as with large Parentheses to intangle the understanding , or too much enlarge the Subject , by challenging too neare affinity with Art . The selfe same forme which sometimes that richly-enobled Mirandula commended to his , I should best approve of in these . As I do not ( saith he ) require from you a forme of Speech to trimme , ☞ so I would not have it trash ; as I would not have it too neate , so I would not have it too rough ; as not too choice , so not too course .

Whatsoever tastes of affetactiō , digresseth from this Disposition . That unkemb'd and incompt Antiquity , he could not endure . He would have Lines so taste of the Lampe , as to have a stronger relish of labour , than affectation from any other . As first , for the choice of Words , No man , unlesse he have already vow'd to converse onely with Aire , can be of so distemper'd a judgement , as to preferre a superficiall dresse of Words , before the maine Subiect whereof hee meanes to intreate . This were like one , that should addresse himselfe for some farre journey , and accommodate himselfe with all necessaries fitting for such a journall : but neglects wholly , or knowes not the bent of his Travaile whereto he goes , nor for what end . And foolish were he , who , upon perusall of such an Airy Author , that decks his Workes meerely with an outward lustre , should fall into a veine of applauding or commending him : Nor could he well have lesse reason to approve such Encomions ( but rather hold them for Paradoxes ) than such , who have beene sometimes pleased to bestow their derisory praises upon the very worst or contemptiblest Subjects . After this sort , was Polycrates that famous Athenian Rhetorician pleased to fall into the praise of the Tyrant Busyris , Seneca of Claudius , Favorinus of Thersites , Maro of his Gnat , Lucianus of his Flye , Apuleius of his Asse : Againe , Favorinus of a Quartane Fever , Glaucus of Injustice , Synesius of Baldnesse , Lucianus of Parasiticall Flattery , Erasmus of Folly . But truth is , Tu quem commendes etiam atque etiam aspice : Nemox incutiant altena tibi commissa pudorem . Horat. praise may reflect upon the Subject that is unworthy of such praise , by way of disgrace . To commend a parcimonious man for his bounty or liberality , or a severe Judge for his clemency , layes him open to the World ; which makes his Commender a Satyricall Displayer : in extolling him in that respect onely , which hath begot him , to such as truely know him , a marke of ignominy . Flattery , saith one , is not alwayes to praise in presence , for ingage our selves wee may to that hatefull brand , by praising in absence ; that is , when either the vertue , for which he is praised , is absent , or the occasion : as for Vertue , as she is her owne praise , her owne Princely Precident ; so is her owne prize her owne praise , farre above the oyly Rhetorick of any affective Parasite .

Such Words then beseeme an Historian best , which are proper and native . Such as were obsolete or out of use were much distasted of our Historians of ancient time : so as , howsoever some abstruse words may fall out now and then in the Relations of Tranquillus , which tasted too much of Calepine : no doubt , but they were in those times received for Native . Howbeit , sometimes they mainly obscure the mind of the Au hor. Some Arguments likewise cannot be expressed in usuall Words : unlesse the Word by which such a thing should be rendred , were dilated to a whole sentence . In such case , the Historian is to be excused ; because the easinesse of this errour , is rather to the Subject than Author to be imputed . In briefe , I will conclude this with that sententious saying of the Poët : Words follow matter of their owne accord , Matter gives life and essence to the Word .

Now , for the Phraze ; as I have formerly proposed the best direction , that such , who have already writ of that Subject , have recommended ; all the better , to imprint this in your memory ; it is to be understood , that no Phraze of Speech better becomes these Relations , than such as are briefe and sententious . I have knowne some , in their Additions to certaine pleasing Inventions of our owne ; by labouring to surpasse their Coppy ( left imperfect , and falling into their nice hands to make compleate ) through an affected Elegancy of phraze , ☜ to have darkned the meaning of the Author : by furnishing the Story with an Ocean of Words , but scarce one droppe of Reason . The Phraze then must be so disposed , that the matter whereof wee treate , must not through affectation become intangled , nor any way obscured . Wherein a great measure of discretion is required : Yea , and in one and the same History , the forme of the Phraze may be changed . Light Subjects are ever properly suited with light Lines . But when we addresse our Discourse to describe the Subversion of a State ; the depopulation of any flourishing City : still from the Tragicke ashes of such a Story , may our Penns bee taught to droppe Teares . There is no representment of Sorrow that suites well in the same Habit or Colours , that Subjects of delight are to be attired in . When that Nation , our Historian hath occasion to write of , shall be cloathed in mourning garments ; when fire and fury attend them without , feare and famine within : When their weake Walls are so inclos'd about , That feare gets in , but nothing can get out .

Then must his Phraze of Speech put on an heavy dresse . Elegancy never lesse beseemes him than at that time . Passionate Enter-breathes ; Treaties of Sorrow ; Eare-moving expostulations from those disconsolate Agents of misery , are sitting Dishes for such a bloody banquet .

This might bee amply illustrated by those inhumane cruelties lately committed by the Groats & Curlings in Germany . Benzo in his Indian Story expresseth a singular Art in his discovery of Passion in this kinde ; who relating the cruelty of the Spanish Nation practised upon the West Indies ( if the History hold concurrence with truth ) collects a Summary of all in this one presidentall report : In one of their Ilands called Hispaniola , of twenty hundred thousands , when the people stood untoucht ( which had they remain'd so still , might have redounded more to the honour of that Nation ) the Author was verily perswaded at the penning of his History , that there were scarce a hundred and fifty soules left ; whence he exclaimed , Benzo in Hist. Ind. O quot Nerones , quot Domitiani , quot Commodi , quot Bassiani , quot immites Dionisij eas terras peragravere ?

He ha's in store a Catalogue of unexemplary Tyrants , for such unexemplary mischiefes . Passion in Discourses of this nature ( which is farre better exprest in abrupt sighes , than polish'd speech ; ) will become well the penne of an Historian . Another Style is to bee used in peaceable Treaties , Nuptiall Solemnities , or Orations by way of Embassie and the like .

In the distinguishing then of these , as I have formerly noted ; is much discretion required . For to use any Style that may not suite with the Subject whereof he treates , argues a want of disposition in the Author : resembling such ridiculous Actors ; who , whether they speake of Heaven or Earth , fixe their eyes alwayes on one place : or whether they speake of warre or peace , ever reteine one tune in their ill-disposed voyce . Shall we then a little longer insist upon such particulars , for matter of Style , as either impaires or improves the beauty of an History ? Heare what my opinion , derived in part from others , is in this .

These beseeme not a History ; dilated circumstances , instances too much stood upon , an ambiguous leaving of something undetermined : They leave the understanding in doubt what to resolve , the judgement what to thinke , the thoughts what to deliberate : So as our reading conferres no other profit , save an intricate winding or wreathing of many anxieties up together : Giving the Minde free scope to imagine the event , being implyed by the Author .

An Historian in his writing should have a kinde of seeming security for his Style and Order of Speech : yet not so , Non ubi vanitati festivitas propriè cedit . ( as to omit an exact or wittily composed jest ) to relish the Readers distaste : Such was Tacitus use , by enterlacing the seriousnesse of his Tale , with some judiciall ( but strangely briefe ) sentences : annexing some pleasant straine , either of meere purpose invented , or from the occasion of his Subject derived , to sweeten the heavier part of his discourse : which should not be too long insisted on , for that were trifling ; but shadowingly touched , for that implies plenty of Subject : not flying to triviall relations , to make up a greater Volume , but for the delight of the judiciously affected : Miscendo utile dulci.

But alas , where this distinguishment of judgement of Histories requires great labour , it oft-times obtaines as little favour : The present age cannot admit of such discourses , they be too serious : So that whosoever should compile a Volume of Judiciall extractions , or approved Observances , should hardly have as many Readers , as Persius conjectured for his Labours ; Vel duo , vel nemo : Nomina , Mecaenas , Charitum scribuntur arenis , Pieridū gelidis inclyta Scripta rogis . ib. O ill disposed Times ! when judgement goes a Wool-gathering . Augustus had two which he especially respected above the rest of his Nobles , and the one of them was a Mecaenas , a Patron of learning , and a grace to the sacred influence of Poësie : But where should we finde an Atlas for Parnassus in these dayes ? where Noble ( yet degenerate Spirits ) esteeme him that will be Pandor to his Punke , above him that will bee Patron to a Poëm ? It seemes strange that in best experienc't times , where knowledge should bee hightned , the foggy vapours of ignorance dispelled : Nay , where these times have respite from warlike Alarums , and therefore may securely feede at Minerva's Table , should be so delighted with superficiall shadowes , contemning the perfect essence and lustre of Man , ( to wit ) how to know himselfe . Worlds Anatomy . Here the Miser digges ( and with the Dormouse ) sleepes out his time in a fruitlesse scraping ; There the Prodigall ( carelesse of times expence ) bastardizeth his Fathers providence , leaving no more to himselfe , than that he could not take from himselfe , a poore Grave : Here the Ambitious man , displaying his pie-coloured flags of vanity ( in the elation of his Spirit ) contemnes the inferiour ranke of men , ever aiming at an higher Spheare than popular presse , till his aspiring produce his falling , and the honour which hee purchast without merit , forsakes him not without shame : But which of these will take paines to see himselfe represented in Exemplary Histories ? If the Picture of old Menedemus were hung up in eye of the Miser ( he would I doubt it not ) gaze with his foure eyes on the Picture , but make little or no use on the Patterne : The Ambitious man , if hee saw the Character of himselfe in that vast and undetermined minde of Catiline , in that ambitiously insinuating spirit of Seian , I feare me hee would rather make use of the meanes of his rising , than caution himselfe by his untimely declining : The Prodigall ( expressing his owne Mirrour , by Theotimus errour ) who preferred lust before his eyes , would ( much I feare it ) rather darken the eye of his Soule , to satisfie the eye of his Body , than moderate his passions on Earth , to reape the fruit of his Moderation in Heaven . O that these Times would so distinguish of their abuses , as being discovered , they may be censured ; for where abuses are concealed , they seeme afresh to be renewed , and ( with Authority ) confirmed , but being openly ript , they may be whipt and stript : first displayed to the eye of the World , then summoned before the Throne of Iustice !

It was a constant Custome , as hath beene observed , ☞ for the Roman State , and that when she was in her prime Monarchiall beauty , for all Artificers to carry about them the badges of their Trades , the Signals of thei● Conditions . And this every Mechanick willingly obeyed ; so as , it was not permitted them to wal●e abroad through the Streets of the City , without this Cognizance of their quality . While one more precise than wise , standing one day forth in the presse of the people ; Sirs , quoth he , we are injoyned to goe with the severall Badges of our poore professions , and as meete is , we observe the Custome . Meane time , how shall we know what Trade our perfumed Silken Courtiers are of ; our purple Consuls , or our Scarlet Citizens ? Where be the Armes they beare ? The Cognizants they carry ?

The Speech of this Critick Artizan came streight to the Emperours eare ; who liking well of his blunt question , injoyned all such as reteined to his Court , or boare Magisteriall places in his Courts of Justice , or bore high Offices in the City , to observe the like course which those inferiour Mechanicks observed . This was injoyned , and their observance expected . Many Devices and Impressa's were contrived , but few or none pleased . It was thought fit by the Emperour , that such devices and no other should accommodate them , as that very Artist should invent , who first proposed this Observation to them . He ready to embrace such a Taske ; and obey so just a command , A witty conceit of a bold Artizan . sets his Invention forthwith on worke , which he discovers in this sort .

For the Courtier , he gave him a Sweet Glove with this Impresse : Eius ero , quam gero .

For the Consul , a Wedge of Gold with this Mott : Illi haereo , quod fero .

To the City-Officiall , a Lampe in the snuffe , with these words : Ferveo , at faeteo .

Howsoever the device might seeme bitter , this invention was not onely approved , but rewarded by the Emperour .

It is a true saying , " There is nothing that gives more nourishment to Vice than want of imployment : by doing nothing , wee shall soone learne to doe worse than nothing .

Action is the life of Man ; and when the Fancy is not well imployed , it will assay something that may witnesse to the World , it had better farre beene restrained .

For my part , A modest discovery of the abuses of the time : how they are to be searched ; how cured . I cannot chuse but wonder ( with that Divine Cynick ) how Man bred amongst Men should so soone forget the prime beauty of Man ; as to suffer it to be drenched in the Lees of loose affections . How a living Substance , and that Substance endowed with Reason , should so faune on a Shadow . Or hold himselfe imparadized with the poore conceit of a smile from one lighter than Vanity . What an incomparable Favour is one ravish'd Feather from her Fanne , whose very levity is the Embleme of that Favour ? Are these manly motions ? What a tricking , trimming , poudring and purfling this poore Rinde must have ? what a varnish must Art bestow on it ? Meane time , what Diogenes sometimes said to a youth too curiously and effeminately drest , may be truely said to this painted piece : If thou goest to Men , all this is but in vaine , if unto women , it is wicked . Now , as the Lure of a light Curtezan is Lucre ; her aime must consequently be the ruine of her Lover . So as , her speech to her poore Suiter is the very same , which that old Strumpet used to a worne-out Customer of hers , who asked daies of payment for his pleasure , Oculatae nostrae sunt manus , credunt quod vident . If unguided youth would have his delights sensible , her receipts must be palpable .

Vid. Marian : in Arcad. Princ. Lesse occasion of griefe it cannot be to any one who affects Piety , or suffers with a just man in his wrongs : To see an honest and integrious cause fall light in the Scale , because his gold wants weight . To see justice weighed by graines : Or Scarlet attended by vices in the same Livery .

Or a rich Chuffe , whose ill-thriving providence his posterity tastes of ; to squeaze the weake ones with his unconscionable bargaines ; to treasure to himselfe what will sticke by him , when poore dust ( the remainder of all his care ) shall receive him : Many a dry eye attend him : and his hungry Executors ( as Ravens greedy after prey , and impatient of too long delay ) shall imbrue his corpse with their blood before they bury him .

Let these reflect upon themselves and their owne follies ; and see themselves personated in divers instances in all our Histories : and when they have taken a full view of their owne enormities ; which cannot be of such small proportion , but they will appeare visible enough to their recollected fancies , let me aske them in the same tearmes that the young Gallant in Erasmus , asked his wanton Mistresse : Are yee not ashamed to doe that in the sight of God and testimony of his Angels , which yee are ashamed to do in the sight of Men , inferiour to Angels ? Sores cannot be cured , till they be discovered and searched : a Morall Story h 'as in readinesse a Probat to search them , and Balme enough , if usefully applide , to heale them .

O let Histories , as they be Records of what were done , whether good or evill ; excite us to be good , and deterre us from being evill : Stories are replenished with examples of both sorts , for they be Store-houses of precedent events , and consequently so to be observed and digested , as the Judicious Reader may better dispose of his events . I have noted in Discourses of this kind , the observance of that Generally Iudicious Gentleman , Sir F. B. and the best advancer of depressed Learning , where he saith : A Three-fold Discourse branched into a three-fold Observance . Some Bookes are to be tasted , some to be swallowed , few to be chewed and digested . Such as are to be tasted I comprehend , in Stories of modest accomplement , superficiall flourishes , garnishing our Discourse modestly without vaine ostentation or bravery : Such are to be swallowed , as those Amorous , and fruitlesse labours of braine-sicke Authors , freighted with continuall Hyperbolees comely in nothing but love : Such are to be chewed and digested , as include discourse tending both to instruction and delight , &c.

So then , here we may come to our judiciall point ; we see and read Histories , some onely to be tasted , others swallowed , some few chewed , as Beasts were in the old Law . Histories being ruminated and chewed , yeeld a continuall profit , and the more meditated , the more beneficiall ; Three Observances worthy our consideration in Reading . which seemed well approved ( and no lesse worthy our observance ) by his institution , that wished every Reader to take these three remembrances in his way to reade : Libenter , Diligenter , and Intelligenter ; The first yeelds a present delight , because it includes a willingnesse ; the next a diligent Attention , implying a seriousnesse ; Vse of those three Observances . the last an use of both , enfolding an understandingnesse : These three attend a judicious distinguishing of Histories , Judgement in discerning what is best , and these to apprehend the best : These foure commixed resemble twinnes at two burthens , all directours one to another : for without judgement , we may chuse the worst as soone as best , taking our aime onely at delight , without recourse to profit , best agreeing with the outward sence ; here is a want in the Election : without willingnesse , our reading breeds a loathing ; without diligence , our discourse is fruitlesse ; and without understanding , our minds be erring . And thus much for dijudicating of Histories , an essentiall part of this Booke : I have but summarily set down my Opinion ( grounded on the collections of others ) herein , that I might prosecute the former parts of my Division in the Method of this History , contracting much into a little Body .

THe Method which I propounded to my selfe in the beginning , was first to describe the Scope of Histories : Secondly , the use , The Method prosecuted . fruit , and effect of Histories in generall : and the third extracted from the second , that the particular Profit which redounded eyther to a Family in private , or administration of States in publicke by these Histories . For the first , being the original whence the two others are drained , I have spoken sufficiently : Longer ( I confesse ) was I enforced to insist upon them , then my Volume ( which I prescribed my selfe ) would admit : But the many Vses , Subdivisions , and grounds naturally arising from them , enforced me to prosecute the Argument more fully : I intend now to handle the second part , to wit , the Fruite and Vse of History , the speciall'st Motive inducing reading .

THe greatest and movingst argument of perswasion to the undertaking of this or that , Vse of History is the benefit we expect redounding from our enterprise : I will succinctly expresse the severally-moving effects of profit ( the worldly mans Adamant ) from History , Naturally and Essentially derived : which being laid open , I hope the Miser ( who as Seneca noteth , is good to none , but worst to himselfe ) will be profitable both to himselfe and others : My Exordium shall be drawne from him , because I take him to be one of the divils chiefest Factors , and more benefit should I yeeld my Country in bringing such an one , than in taking an Arch-pirate : From him descending to every vitious professour ( binding my selfe ever to my tackling ) the fruit of History , in it selfe able to reclaime the depraved'st from their habituated enormities .

☞ The true Characterall Portraiture of a Miser . A Miser and Misery were ever held Correlatives . And he is that true Miser , who , like the blind Mole , receives al his nutriment from Mold . It is strange that any Creature endued with Reason , should so much slave the freedom of so right a Soveraignesse to the thraldome of Sense . When the Prince or Princesse falls sick , Languente Principe , tota in lachrymas resoluta est Curia : Succumbente anima ; cuncta familiae patiuntur Organa . the whole Court mournes , sayes that incomparable Morall . Apply this to thy owne Condition , miserable Wormeling ; thy Princesse is mortally sicke ; thy Soule who languisheth irrecoverably ; how can all her faculties doe lesse than suffer ?

Shee ever hated conversing with Earth : her Contemplation was in an higher Spheare . And as a Plant removed from that Soile where it liked , and brought to a plotte of ground from her Nature estranged ; shee h'as of late quite lost her Verdure and Vigour . Thus hast thou suffer'd thy Divine part to be drowned and drenched in the contemptiblest refuse and rubbish on Earth .

Oh that thou knew'st but what a small scantling or portion of this Earth which thou so much affectest , must serve thy turne : and what a small measure in the Interim ( if thy desires would rest so satisfide ) will afford thee a Competence ! These thy unbounded and Hydropick affections would confine themselves to a straiter Circumference .

Truth is , there is nothing which this Earth-worme enjoyes , that hee can properly entitle his owne . For as those Temporary Blessings which hee h'as received , are estranged from his use : so the very thoughts of his heart are not his owne , because they are ever fixing on anothers Farme . Hee sees nothing flourish in anothers Pasture , but the Object of it begets his distemper . Others fatnesse makes him leane . Corpus exteruat , ut lucrum extendat . To gaine him an estate , he cares not how he macerate his Body . It fareth with such men as these , as it doth with the Sea-Eagle , who , Cum ferre quod caepit , nequeat , in gurgitem demergitur . when hee cannot seaze upon his prey , he throws himselfe head-long into the Gulfe .

Now , whereto extends this immoderate Care ? he will tell you , for himselfe and his posterity . Let us then divide these parcells of his Care , and collect what use hee makes of it either in respect of himselfe , or his Scape-thrift Heire .

It is good providence ( for so hee guilds his Avarice ) which hath brought him to this macerating Care . He cannot endure to see the Creatures of God , so lavishly nor carelesly scattered . He h 'as resolv'd to hold an hanke : Though it be now Summer with him , hee knows not how soone Winter may come . He h 'as resolv'd therefore to play the provident Ant ; to have his Granars full ; Vine-presses flow ; to have a Friend in a corner to revenge him of his Foe , and doe his Friend a pleasure .

His insatiate desire of increasing his State ; his uselesse ends in disposing his Store . These are faire flourishes ; but looke what precious fruits these glorious Resolves produce ! What benefit brings all this hoording to himselfe ? Or what utility to the publick State ? To himselfe , I dare say , neither living or dying . For observe him while he is living ; and you shall find him the poorest and leanest Soule in all his Meniey . Some of these wee have here lately had ; who as they abridged Nature of her due , and dyed in her debt ; so they could not performe the Office of Nature long before their Death .

Yea , he could be well contented , of all Sects , to be a Pythagorean ; wishing with all his heart ( so it might stand with the conservation of Nature ) neither to eate nor drinke all his life-time : but he intends not this abstinence to increase his Knowledge , but to improve his Fortunes by an abstemious providence . So as , that Cynick tooke not his marke amisse , when resolving one day to distinguish a Land-buyer from a Seller ; a miserable Chuffe from a sociable Good-fellow ; tooke his ayme by their Physnomies . If hee saw one plumpe-fac'd , ruddy-complexion'd , cheerefully countenanc'd , quick-ey'd , hee would accoast him with this Salute : " Sir , are not you a Seller ? But when he saw one of a leane meagre Countnance , chop-falne , earthy complexion'd , he would presently alter his conjecture upon sight of his Feature , and greete him thus : In good sadnesse , grave Sir , are not you a purchaser ? Whence we may safely conclude : Optimam partem in mundo habet , qui minimam habet . That he ha's the best part in the World , that ha's least part in it .

Nor can this unprofitable care of a wretched Worlding , become any way usefull to him in his dying . His Testament is made ; and he leaves in it what he is unwilling to leave . And to whom he leaves it , he knowes not ; but enjoy must others , what he could not . A Grave-stone , perchance , may distinguish him from the poore ones of the Parish . But for an Inscription , either his memory merits none , or his mindlesse Executor bestowes none ; or the dis-esteeme of his Survivers will not deagne him one .

Nor can this penurious providence of his , afford much good to his succeeding Scatter-good . Who cries out with that short-mourning Gallant ; so soone as he h'as earth'd the Foxe .

Away with Sable , Bugle , Cypresse-black , Ite procul vestes pullae , vitaeque Cupressi , Expediet maesto fata levare mero . For now mine humour is to mourne in Sack .

Thus have you pencel'd out the Portrature of a Miser . His insatiate desire of encreasing his State ; his uselesse end in disposing his Store : all which by a right use of Historicall Observations , may receive a speedy cure .

The Misers profit by History . The Miser , that is indebted to both backe and belly , so engaged to the World , as he must have his houshold-God of the World , ever harboured in his bosome , or made his pillow to sleepe on , the key of his rust : Hee that never fed Nature in all his dayes with competency ; or durst recreate himselfe , for feare least his recreation should play cheater , and cousen him of his providence : being the moath of the vertuous , the harbour of the vitious : carrying a conscience more infectious than Rats-bane ever about him ; if ever he have grace to cast his eye into an Historicall Discourse ( next to the Sacred Writ ) he shall finde as Soveraigne Antidotes for his malady , as in any place . I will Anatomise the Misers corruptions , and like an artificiall practitioner first open his wounds , and then infuse Balme into them ; which Unction if it will not serve , I shall then apply more rough and sharp plaisters .

Now Master Miser , that is , meere wretched man ; thou hast sufficient , and more than is competent for nature , yet thou art not satisfied : A very , very little will serve thee for thy use , for thou never hadst the Grace to know what an honest expence meant : Thou Tantalizest thy selfe ; amid'st of plenty , famished ; Thou hast a good mind to be rich , A Miser cannot be rich . but that 's impossible : Semper avarus eget ; There is a greedy worme that is ever consuming and gnawing on thee : Thou art at liberty , yet imprisoned , and in more intollerable servitude , than the misarablest Captive upon earth ; yet thy chaines are of gold , S●● te omnia , quae extrâ te . Omnia infrâ te , quae extrâ te . Terram suprâ es , si te superes . ib. thou art a gorgeous prisoner ; Thou art subjected to more hazards than a Merchant Venturer ; to more nightly oppressing , and sur-charching cares , than an Emperour ; to more hourely distractions , and terrible apparitions , than a Murtherer : Thou wouldst sleepe if thou couldst , but thy disturbed thoughts deprive thee of that comfort : To be briefe , A miser his owne Hangman . as thou art in Image the best , so in disposition the worst of all creatures , being thine owne Tymon , thine owne hangman , that macerates thy selfe , and makes thy appetite ever insatiate .

I will lead thee into a spacious field of Histories , where thou shalt see thy immerited mind deblazoned in her colours ; not a memorable instruction for Liberality ( thy absolute Opponent ) but shall be produced for thy use : that seeing the eminence of thy Adversary , thou maist hate thy selfe , and bee reconciled at last to thy Foe .

The Liberall-hearted man is as much Master to himselfe , as thou art thine owne Slave : A contrariety in two different dispositions . he surpasseth thee in use of his owne , and can direct himselfe by an equall proportion , limited ever to a generally approved end . Hee hates to draw in the Sailes of his Bounty , in the presence of desert ; and makes no more account of his own , than to distribute to others wants a share of his fortunes ; nor esteemes he that his owne , of which he hath not power , and in his power can freely give : hee verefies the Verse ( approving a liberall mind : Quod nanquam dederit , non habuisse putat : He never was so farre ingaged , or enthraled , to any earthy substance , as to make it chiefe-tane over his intellectuall part : he makes this his Position , and scornes it should be controuled by any inferiour subject : The Liberall mans Aphorisme . To give , and to delight in giving : And that day wherein ( to the moity of his fortunes ) he hath not demonstrated the rare Character of his Bounty , he cryes out with Titus , Amici , perdidimus diem : This day hath beene an abridgement of my generous intentions , a restraint to my extended mind ; I did never shew my selfe , lesse to bee my selfe , than in this dayes exigent : This is he who measures Vertue for his meere peace and contentment , and not according to successe ; hee shewes not his liberality for observance , but peculiar satisfaction ; for he imagines no greater infelicity , than to be miserable ; his promises are ever relatives with his performances : The Character of a Liberall man . He scornes to dissemble with the World ; he never annoynted his tongue to enrich his fortunes : The perfect Idiome and Character of his Native Properties is already depictured : I will illustrate this Mirrour of Vertues with Exemplary Mirrours , Professours of this Vertue : Reade but the ancient Romane Annals you shall see many renowned for Liberality , and in Syracusa too , for her Eminence and exquisite Government no lesse glorious : In Rome a Fabius Maximus : Examples of Liberality . who willingly forgoes his Patrimony , to preserve his Countries reputation : Se enim Patrimonij , quàm patriam fidei inopem essemaluit . Busa no lesse renowned , and in this more to be observed , because a Woman , whose sexe implies a parsimony , relieving the poore distressed Romans ( coupt up in the Walls of Cannae ) making her selfe poore , to adde power ( by her bounty ) to the afflicted .

In these examples and expressions of Liberality , ☜ let this our Worke for that Pious Office which we desire to performe , returne to her former Method ; addressing it selfe to a commemoration of so faire a Subject : with which Princely and Noble Dispositions are most taken , and by which those who depend on others bounty , are seasonably relieved .

Now , this excellent Vertue , or if you will , The bounteous dispositions of many noble Personages Historically amplifide . Ornament of Majesty , derives her Originall ( as may be probably gathered ) from two especial Fountaines : true Iudgement in discerning ; and charitable benevolence in commiserating . For whensoever it springs from these , Bounty may ever give a reason of what it gives , and to whom it imparts it selfe . For though the greatnesse of the gift winne grace and love to the giver ; yet the season or opportunity of giving makes it more effectuall to the receiver .

That Fabius , whom we formerly remembred , Examples of opportunate bounty , extracted from the Store-house of History . shewed singular arguments of this bounty , whose example we the rather presse afresh , because the Opportunity of his bounty added to the estimate of it : The gift bestowed was but small , but the season made it great . A little summe of money inlarged the continuance of his memory . For having redeem'd at Hannibals hand , the liberty of such prisoners as had beene taken by him , in those Warres . When the City of Rome would not discharge that summe , for which he had articulated : he sent his owne Sonne to Rome , purposely to set at sale the whole Farme he had from his Ancestors . He valued little his owne Patrimony , in regard of the redemption of a Prisoners liberty ; and so free his Countrey , whose fame he prized above Life , from breach of promise , and so deepe a brand of infamy .

Now , if we should account the price of what he gave , it was but small . This Hereditary Farme consisted but of seaven Acres , and those lying in Papinia : but when we consider the mind of the Giver , we shall find no masse of money so great , but it appeares greater . The Inheritance of his Predecessours must be set at sale , rather than his indeared Countrey suffer the least staine . He had rather lose his Farme , than shee should lose her Fame . Wherein he seemes by his noble endeavours to deserve greater commendation , shewing himselfe so willing to extend his bounty ( in an act of such necessity ) even to the utmost of his ability ; farre out-stripping such , who give farre within their power , or from their superfluity : for whereas the One bestoweth what he may , the Other more than he may .

No Lines , were they never so full of Life and Memory , can sufficiently advance that aspiring Spirit of Roman Liberality ; when after the overthrow of Philip King of Macedon , all Greece assembled together to bewitnesses of such a Spectacle ; Quintus Flaminius ( of whom I shall occasionally speake hereafter ) commanding silence by the sound of a Trumpet , commanded these words to be published by the Cryer : The Senat , People , Questors of Rome , and Quintus Flaminius her Generall , command that all those Cities of Greece , which were under the late dominion of Philip shall enjoy all freedome and infranchisement . Which words were no sooner heard , then those people taken with a great and unexpected joy , at first , as if they had not beleev'd their owne eares , they kept silence . But when the same words were re-delivered by the Cryer , to enforce more credit in the Hearer , they deafned the Aire with such a shrill shout , as for certaine the very Birds which flew above them , amazed and ravished with the sound , fell from the Aire .

Surely , it was an argument of a nobly-disposed mind to free so many Captives from restraint , and to bestow the same liberty upon them , which the people of Rome , glorious by her many victories , had sometimes bestowed on their richest Cities . And to adde a greater lustre or majesty to that worke of bounty , it conduceth much to commemorate not onely the liberality of the Giver , but the free assent or approbation of the people to that Gift : for as there is a Commendation due to the act recorded , so likewise to the praise it selfe deservingly rendred .

But while Rome sends forth such noble Branches , who in so flourishing and fruitfull a Mother bestowed all honour , her owne Munificence should not be buried in silence . And redound it will highly to her praise , to recount what a brave bounteous mind she shewed to Kings , Cities and Countries : seeing , the honour of every deserving action , the more it is revived , the more it spreadeth in beauty .

When Rome had taken all Asia , she bestow'd it as a gift upon King Attalus , to possesse ; imagining that the Soveraignty of her Imperiall City would appeare so much more glorious and specious , if she bestowed the richest and pleasantst part of the World for a benefit to another , rather than keepe it as a store-house for her selfe . Especially , where the victory it selfe is the happiest gift ? because , as to possesse much begetteth envy , so to give of that we possesse , cannot want glory . It closeth with more Majesty to make Kings , than to be a King . Val. Max. lib. 4. cap. 8.

That bounteous and royall expression of victorious Cyrus to his successive Allies , deserves a due memory . Who , at such a time as he was to try Masteries for a Kingdome with his Grandsire Astiages ; exhorted such as were his Assistants in that Warre , that they should with all alacrity go on in that Service : for if he prosperously succeeded in that fight , as the justnesse of his cause , the equity of the quarrell , and hopefull predictions by knowing Augurs assured nothing lesse : he would make foote-men horse-men ; and of Horse-men Charrioters . Great mindes are not for small gifts . Eminent Personages must ever second their quality with rich Presents .

The like disposition shewed Lucullus in his Princely entertainment to all such Persons of quality as repaired to him . Beautifull walkes he had to receive them ; bountifull Tables to Feast them ; choicest Consorts to converse with them ; Melodious ayres to delight them ; curious Pictures to entertaine them . Nothing so much disrelish'd him as to see his Hospitality want a Subject ; or his desire to extend his bounty , an occasion to expresse it . Strangers could not there want for repose . A free welcome they receiv'd without being ever question'd from whence they came , or when they would goe . This differ'd far from that Adage : Vnius noctis peramicus Hospes , Proximae gratus minùs est Amicis , Tertiae vultus patietur hostis Dira minantis . Guests of one Night stay may be kindly welcome , Guests of a next night are not held so toothsome , Guests of a third night are reputed noisome To the Receiver .

This was that L. Lucullus , of whom Cicero reporteth , that when hee went from Rome to make Warre upon Mithridates , he was altogether unskilfull of Military affaires : yet in the time of his Navigation hee so experienc'd himselfe , as by the confession of the King , he was preferred aboue all others for judgement in Martiall service .

That bounteous mind of Eutrapelus , Hor. of whom that incomparable Lyrick makes such a free and genuine mention ; deserves all esteeme . Those things , which our Age most fooles herselfe in , he with much sleightnesse gave away to his foes . A curi us neat dresse could not so take him : nor the fashions of the time so delude him , but hee could with all indifferency forgo them : stripping himselfe of all occasion of being proud , to infatuate his profest foes with his pride .

But no bounty ever powr'd it selfe forth more freely , nor bestow'd it selfe more deservingly , than of that brave Millanoise ; who professing himselfe ever a constant Patron to the Muses ; and falling casually into discourse with a Stranger , whose rich expressions ( as he conceiv'd ) discover'd him to be a Scholler : he desired much to heare the course of his Travaile : Who , to satisfie so just a demaund , related to him , amongst other passages , what cold entertainment hee had received , amongst many who profest themselves Favorites of Learning : but of one Grande above all the rest , where he no sooner repaired , then he was unhospitably dismissed . Leave hee tooke of him , and leave hee quickly gave him : which , to set forth the better to life he returned a briefe of his entertainmant in these Stanza's : Good leave I had , for none did me importune To take my late repose , so as I found Men shap'd their lookes according to my fortune , Which forced me to traversing my ground To find some place with my condition sorting , Where to retire but not to seeke reliefe , I thought it fitt'st to descant on my griefe . And cause I had to grieve to see the time So much deprav'd , as I perceived than None could to Greatnesse but by Fortune clime , And that it was the meanes that made the man , Which I applide unto that Fate of mine ; Devising how to passe the night away , Till th' Morning Star should guide th' approaching day .

These Lines wrought so strongly upon that bounteously-disposed Millanoise , as commiserating the Condition of a contemned Scholler , he returned him this Regreet . It is true , Sir , Desert receives not alwayes entertainment ; for as you shall encounter with some whom cannot distinguish of worth ; so you shall meete with others who will not acknowledge Worth , purposely to spare their wealth . You shall not finde all hearts so affected , nor all mens Judgments so filmed . Remaine with me , Sir , and welcome ; Be a Commander , while you are heere a Sojourner . I have a Wardroabe heere for the Muses , if they be naked ; and a Place richly endowed too , if for retirement they be disposed . Nothing shall be awanting to them , so they be not awanting to themselves . It ha's beene and ever shall be held mine highest Honour , to be esteemed worthy the entertainment of a Scholler .

But we proceed in this Branch of our History , to other remarkable Instances for Liberality .

Quintus Considius ( of all most memorable ) an Usurer and Bountifull ; An Vsurer never found his Countries Friend . a blacke Swan was never rarer : the Pagan Usurer ( it seemes ) had a conscience , which our Christian Usurer wants : for in that bloody , and inhumane Conspiracy of Catiline , second to none , our Moderne Counterbuffe , our Powder-treason excepted : hee remitted all his Debtors , laying his Bills and Bonds upon one pile , making a Bone-fire with them : where I make no question , but the Usurers continuall Customers , the Poët Archias , and his Eccho , the Actor Roscius had reason to sweare : Quod nunquam ignem vidissent clariorem : That they never saw a clearer or more comfortable fire in all their dayes . An Vsurer bountifull against his will . It may be Considius did this , because he saw the disability of his Debtors ( for those Civill Commotions had much empoverished all Estates ) and therefore in policy , once to expresse his bounty , thought it fittest to forgive them that , which they were not able to give . More worthy is the memory of Quintius Flaminius , who in an Istmian Triumph , in the presence of his Countries foe , the daring Philip of Macedon , redeemed such as were Philips Captives at his owne charge : Worthy our observation it is , willing to answer so publick Solemnity , with an universall-concording harmony , making such free Spectators , that were before in servitude .

Examples of Bounty amongst the Syracusans . The modest Prince Hiero of Syracusa , who in meere compassion of the slaughter of the Romans , at the Lake Thrasimenus , sent to the afflicted remnant of that wofull Army , three hundred Thousand Bushels of Wheate , two hundred of Barley , and two hundred and forty pound weight of Gold to relieve their wants , and manifest his royall bounty . Planted is this City Agrigentum , on that flowry Mountaine Agragas . I may annexe the memorable example of Gillia of Agrigentum , who was rich in Mines , but much more rich in minde , alwayes rather inclined to distribute than scrape : so as his house ( and that not undeservedly ) was called Officina Munificentiae , a Ware-house of Bounty ; erecting Monuments for publick use , that the eyes of the people might be delighted with so gratefull spectacles : Here were prepared sumptuous Feasts , yeelding and ministring food , and all other necessaries for the sustaining Nature , to all way-faring men , bestowing dowers upon Maids , and reliefe to the poore , ministring plenty of comfort ( out of his Royall Exchequer ) to such as had sustained any detriment , or damage . A Memorable Instance of Hospitality . To be briefe , hee kept open Hospitality , receiving five hundred Celensian Gentlemen at one time , by occasion of Tempest driven upon his Coast , which he fed at his owne Table ; and at their departure royally adorned them with sumptuous Garments . To be short , thou wouldst not ( saith our History ) have taken him for any Mortall , for he was too liberall , but the very Bounties-bosome of propitious Fortune .

Thou hast seene these Examples of Liberality ; I will now unrip thy owne Casket , and see what worthy Pictures thou hast lockt up in it . I see many bagges of mould , but not one ragge of Conscience : great Chests ramm'd up with inexorable barres , crammed with Avarice , Famine , and Oppression . Lucifer is thy Treasurer , proving a faithfull servant : for hee will not cheate thee for a World , lest hee should lose his part of thee in the World to come . Thou committest to him the Keyes of thy Conscience ; which opens and shuts upon all occasions : Hee being one of thy Family , how canst thou chuse but be prosperous ? Yet beleeve me ( thy end will be poore and miserable ) not one of those many Angels thou possessest , like a good Angell , will guard , or give these so much as the least taste of Comfort . I come not to instruct thee , like a Divine , but to illustrate my Assertions by Historicall Examples , which I have here placed before thee , to deterre thee from their life , that thou mayest avoid their death .

Avarice , or ( which is extended further ) Misery , was best exemplified in Hermon ; who to deceive his owne friends , and deprive them of that which he made his God ; at his Death , made himselfe his owne Executor : This man would be loath to lose so precious a Friend ; Death must not part him and his Riches . No question but his Opinion was , hee might purchase himselfe a Tabernacle of rest with his rust : Miserable ends of Misers . and translated from the vale of Earth , might erect himselfe a Mansion of pure Gold , for hee carryed the stuffe with him . I could heere produce infinite other Examples , which , to avoid tediousnesse , I omit , and returne to our Discourse .

History may yeeld no lesse profit to the Prodigall , who makes himselfe the last of his name ; who no sooner ( yea oft-times sooner ) than he hath shut his Fathers eyes , opens his Fathers Chest , and wipes away the remembrance of his Fathers Death , with the Evidence and Broad Seale of his Fathers love : he had need of some direction .

Many of these are no sooner come to their Lands , than they run out of their Witts . ☜ They were sicke of a Father while hee lived ; and now they live to become a prey to others , The Prodigals humour displayed . by whom they are more usually jeered than loved . Now , to display this brave Prodigalls humour , and render him in his true Colours ; I shall not need to bestow much paines upon him , seeing the Satyre h 'as already so exactly done it for him : Tristis adit tumulum , rediturus laetior Haeres , Suscipit ut loculos aere micante suos . Sad goes he to his Fathers Grave , But glad do'es he returne , For why ! his baggs cram'd with re'd Ladds Doe bid him cease to mourne .

These easie Obsequies once done ; he must of necessity fall into acquaintance with all those Officious Creatures , whose abilities conduce much to the making up of a Gentleman . He , who now stands resolv'd never to measure his owne expence , must be measur'd by his Taylor ; accommodated by his sweet-sented Milliner ; Bever'd by his Haberdasher ; stand nearely indeared to his amorous Sempster . Having thus throwne away his Sable dresse , and suited himselfe Cap a pe to the fashion of the Time : His Faunes or Followers , his Spunges . He must have Faunes or Followers to spunge him . Such , in one word , as never knew what reputation meant ; nor were ever acquainted with what credit meant , farther than running on score . And these must be the Carvers out of his estate . Excellent Stewards to manage a fortune !

Now , if this Gentele Gallant set his rest for the City ; the height of his ambition is to receive instruction from Corranto's and Play-bills . These Notions must regulate the whole course of his Living . Acquaintance he h'as got him ; and such as meane to gull him and gueld him of that wherewith his Father did guild him . For such is the misery of man , as he cannot endure to be seene in that place , where he is not best himselfe . Associates he h'as from all quarters of the World , and of all qualities , save good . Some Bilbow Blades he meetes withall , and those either for feare of an affront ; or purposely to make them his Champions upon occasions of quarrell , he makes Guard le Corpse . And these can humour him to an haire ; call him their Annibal : and that Title payes for all . If hee fall into acquaintance with a decayed Artist ; whose prodigall course h 'as brought him to partake of Cheate . He will not sticke upon the very first Salute to become his Ingle . And this Honey-suckle must broake for him ( being that wherewith he h'as beene from his Infancy vers'd ) in conterfeit Jewels : and these must bee return'd to him for rich ones . For the graines of his discerning judgement were long since scattered : so as , he may rest secure for discovery .

To satisfie his Senses one Night , it must cost him as much as his Fathers care gathered in a whole yeare . But now after many unrighteous Bills discharg'd ; the Moone beginnes to be i' th waine with him . His Exchequer in the Country , affords him no such fresh nor frequent supply for his Port , sport and support in the City , as it used to doe . For want then of other profits and emolluments , he must be forced to take up Commodities . Dainty trash to maintaine his traine ! But nothing violent can be permanent : that Conduit is soone dryed up . In a word , hee never takes up with himselfe , till he be taken up by others . He was drunke all this time , and now restraint h 'as brought him to himselfe , and made him suffer .

But if the Prodigalls humour be such , as it confines him to the Countrey , without any farther aspiring either to Court or City ; because hee 's no Letterd man , he h'as chosen to bestow his meanes upon the pleasures of H which is no Letter . His onely Discourse is in commendation of his Hound ; from whom he differs onely in Sent ; for coupled they might bee well together for Sence . His Horse cannot gallop faster in Chace , than hee out of his estate . His Hauke flies so high , as she lessens her selfe ; which may serve for his Embleme : having flowne so long a flight , as he hath lessen'd himselfe both in credit and fortune : both which after a long mouting , scatter abroad like Feathers in the Aire . His Courtezan ( to close his illiterate Alphabet in one ) h 'as left him ; and vowes she cannot love him , because he h'as lost his wits : but indeed , the losse of his estate is the reason . Shee bids him for want of better maintenance , goe to an Hospitall ; and she at leasure will follow after : and no sooner than neede requires ; for as hee stands in neede of reliefe , so she of a Plaister .

Whence we may collect ( though there be no necessary inference of any such Collection ; arising rather from the corruption of a youthfull vicious disposition ) that a Fathers injurious doing , His Fathers injurious doings , his undoing : his raising , his ruine . becomes oftimes his Heires undoing ; the Fathers raising , the Sonnes ruine .

Oh let these young Lapwings , who leave their nest before they can finde wing , and make their pleasure a Labyrinth of Labour , looke homeward !

The young mans maze . There be many mazes for the young man : I have knowne many exposed to all delights , and ( as it were ) sold under the gage of prostitution , who by Historicall observations have not onely reclaimed their former errour , but grew singular mirrours of purity . No question , if Catiline , whose mind was ever subjected to illimited affections , had but perused the excellent relations of his noble Predecessors , Our predecessors vertues , motives of imitati●n . he had not beene onely able to extinguish that common and universall cumbustion , which his aspiring spirit raised to consume his whole Countrey ; but had beene memorable for his owne attchievements : for the best of Roman Historians ( that I may use the Words of the best Commenter upon * * Quem proprietatis servantissimum , vocat Gellius . Crispus Salustus ) saw thus much into his disposition , that so long as he retired himselfe from those factious and mutinous spirits , Cethegus , Lentulus , with others of that hatefull consort , none shewed himselfe a more profitable member to the Common-weale , or more ready to endanger himselfe for her availe ; imploying his time in serious discourses ; which not onely moderated his affections , but poised him to the equall ballance of a vertuous Discourse : which afterwards perverted by the depraved suggestions of those Ruffins , reduced those faire beginnings to nothing , and him to a miserable death , and perpetuall infamy .

The very same effect we see in all other Vices ( which would be well extenuated ) if vitious mindes would apply themselves to these , Histories best discoverers of errours . and the like Discourses : we should have our drunkards see into their owne shame , deblazoned by the Epirotes ; our Epicures by the ravenous Vitellij ; spending their fortunes in pampering their worst houshold servant ; our carnall Brothelists , by those impudent prostitutes in Neroes time , who were never weary of their shame , till their publicke filthinesse ingendred a loathing in the professours themselves : looke to these mens ends ! Oh , how long might I prosecute this argument without want of copious Discourse ! Instances of famous delinquents . Here producing an Heliogabilus , generally hated for his insatiate Lust , and least pittied in that ebbe of his frailty ( his miserable death ) when men use most to be pittied , being attended at his funerals with Military reproaches : Here goe we to bury a Dogge of distempered lusts : there , a wanton Messalina , rewarded with a death beseeming her . Here , an aspiring Sejanus ; shaken with an unexpected end , and made miserable in his best fortunes , interred with dry eyes : For who will pitty the fall of Ambition ? There an Herostratus ( memorable for nothing but villany ) purchasing by his fame an infamous end . Here , a bloody Perillus , expert in the invention of cruell Projects , punished with the Torture of his owne Invention : There , a fleering Parasite , who circumvents himselfe with his owne policy .

Such exemplary motives be frequent in Histories , and able in themselves ( if duly pondered ) to enforce Nature from her selfe , and reduce Man , primarily addicted to this or that Vice , to a consideration of his owne estate , wisely foreseeing his owne danger by others misery ; wisely ; Cautioning the young man to levell his affections at another scope , than the depraved intendments of the time wherein he liveth ; making difference betwixt sence and reason : History the best Touchstone to dijudicate 'twixt what is good and ill . the one common to Beasts with men : the other a dis-junct propriety onely to man from beasts : For reason , the directresse of our understanding , the limiter of our affections within honest bounds , the Touch-stone to dijudicate what is good , from what is ill , the intellectuall Notion of the soule , should be ever the conducter of our fancies ; How to bee Masters over our selves . which is best shown , when ( Antomedon-like ) we can delineate Vertue in no better shadow , than the Tablet of our owne Hearts ; expressing our selves the best by that , which makes our selves the best , to wit , in prosecuting Vertue with an earnestnesse , that in the end we may become Masters of our selves , governours of our affections , and right Siegniors over our in-disposed Fancies .

What admirable Effects have bin and may be drawne from History , ☜ Admirable effects drawne from History , in subduing our affections . to subdue and regulate our affections , who is he knoweth not , presupposing him conversant in such generous studies ? This may be easily gathered by that very heat or vertuous emulation we shall find even in our selves , upon perusal of others commendable actions . For as we are allured by the beauty of goodnesse , to desire nothing more then to be possessed of it : knowing , no outward beauty comparable to it ; so are we deterred from shewing any affection to vice , for the deformity of it : and those odious fruits which burgen from it .

Laïs , though of all Greek Curtezans , none more comely , came far short of vertue for true beauty : and Naïs , though none more ougly , came nothing neare vice for her deformity .

When the Carthage Queene heard the sad Relation of that amorous Trojan , ☜ touching all those Tragicke passages during the siege and destruction of Troy , she could not take a Survey of such a discourse without the attendance of some Princely compassionate teares . Such strong impressions beare others actions in the Theatrall Act of this Life . No Malady but may finde a receipt to cure her , or allay her distemper by the helpe of History .

But to apply receipts to every distinct malady ; and by Historicall helpes minister to every severall sore a soveraigne remedy ; tell me , you Iudicious Readers of Historie , is there any distemper whereof you labour , which you shall not find chaced and chasticed by some Historicall Example ! Yea , answere me in all or any of these , if at any time you find your selves pestred with any of these , if Receipts ( according to the quality of those distempers ) may not be found out for a seasonable cure of these !

Doth vaine-glory transport you ; that Spirit of Pride which makes man forgetfull of himselfe ? you shall find in History , many Examples to deterre you from it . You shall there , as in a transparent Mirror , behold the Lydian Craesus sitting in his chaire of State , beautifi'd with the exquisitest accomplements that the Majesty of a King could put on ; and Him you shall heare thus Enthroned , thus adorned , asking a wise Sage ( to discover his folly the more ) if ever he beheld a more beautefull or gracefull Spectacle ? And you shall heare this vaine piece of Princely Pompe jeered to his face . Diog. Laërt . Yes , sayes he , Dunghill Cockes , Phesants , Peacockes : for these are cloathed with a native beauty , whereas your is but a borrowed glory . Whence , you shall find that Sentence of Menander rightly verified : Menand . Every foole is carried away with arrogance and applause .

You shall likewise heare Antiochus ( to illustrate more fully the misery of vaine-glory ) at one time saluted a glorious Prince , ☜ and a furious Tyrant .

Againe , are you naturally addicted to that Groundling vice of Avarice ? you shall find what brave contempt of riches appeared in Ethnick Breasts . This you may find portraide to life in a Phocion , Solon , Crates , Anacharses , Cimon , Timon , Fabritius . Nothing held These to be more contemptible , then what true wisedome most contemned .

Or stand you enthralled to Passion , which makes the wisest man a Bedlamer for the instant ? You shall find excellent meanes to attemper this commotion . Lessons given by Pagans unto Pagans , and worthy to be left for golden Legacies by Christians unto Christians .

That wise Athenodorus , departing from Augustus , and taking his leave , to expresse a Philosophers love , left this Lesson with him , deserving well to be imprinted by him : That when he was angry , or intended to pronounce any sentence upon a delinquent , he should repeate the foure and twenty Greeke letters . Which lesson Caesar received as an ornament in value more precious then a Diadem .

You shall likewise find an Architas no lesse commended ; hearing him least expresse it , when most incensed . If he find his Hinde idling , he can keep his patience , and discreetly admonish him : O how would I have beaten thee , had I not bin angry with thee !

Or doth that rankling vice , Envy , eating up the heart and marrow of her Master , seaze on you ? you shall heare what a brave Platonicke Common-weale sometimes flourished , when that Law of Nature , holding possession of all things in common , was in request .

Before Carthage was destroyed , Rome both quietly and modestly govern'd her affaires . There was no contending not contesting for glory nor commaund amongst her Citizens ; they guided all things peaceably , and succeeded in all things prosperously . That antient Kings-evill , desire of raigning and invading had not as then infected them . Whence you may truly collect , by application had to these present times , what that glorious Divine out of his owne Experience sometimes observed , Si duo ista Pronomina Meum & Tuum cessarent , non essent tot discordiae in mundo . Stell . de Contempt . Mund. " If these two Pronouns MINE and THINE would but cease , there would not arise such differences in the world .

Or if a Liquorish appetite captivate reason ; you shall read in a Laconian , what moderation would suite well with a Christian . Here you may find a whole Pythagorean state nothing more affected then Moderation ; nothing lesse relishing then licentious surfeiting .

Or if unbounded Sensuality wanton in you : you shall find what you want , exemplifide in a Zeno , a Zenocrates ; and not only in Philosophers , but victorious Princes . Where you shall see brave Cleopatra ( one who sometimes bare a Majesticall Soveraignty in her eye ; and could insult over a Prince with a scornefull looke , and make him her slave with a smile ) kneeling at the feet of Caesar , laying baits for his eyes ; but in vaine : her beauties were beneath that Princes chastity .

Or desire you to be retir'd , or to feed your remisse Spirits with Sloth ? Oh what spurs you shall find to quicken your dulled and rebaited courage ? what animosity in those who were mannagers of Martiall affaires ? what industry in all Arts and Sciences ? what deliberation in undertaking , what resolution in executing ?

Lucullus cannot enjoy himselfe in his owne Tent. A noble Spirit ever finds it selfe active for employment .

Thus shall you find presented before you , whatsoever may in the homely habit of Vertue allure you : or whatsoever cloathed with the odious visage of vice may deterre you . Nor is it possible to find out any Morall way better to regulate or marshall your affections , than by a serious Survey had , and usefull application made of these Historicall relations .

But to come more neare thee in this second part of my Division , we must distinguish of the severall fruits and effects of History , directed to peculiar ends : As first , art thou a Lover , and desirest to complement with thy beloved ? Thou art in a dangerous way , and if thou wisely select not such Histories , as may ( like soveraignes ) rather allay and moderate thy braine-sick passion , than kindle the fire of thy senselesse reason , be lulled with nightly apparitions of thy beloved faire one , to what exorbitances shalt thou be made subject ? But I know the Nature of thy sicknesse : thou art like one who hath taken poyson ; and though Drinke be mortall to him , yet he longeth out of all measure for it . There is no Subject so fitting thy humour , as amorous Sonnets , Historicall Relations , carolling out the discontents of unsatisfied love .

Leander swimming over Hellespont , to crop a blossome already cropped . Passions proceeding from braine-sicke Lovers , &c. Achylles retiring discontented for the losse of his Briseis , Agamemnon for his Chryseis : these are Subjects for thy Love-sick Fancy ; whereas opposites to Love , ( Morall Relations , instructing thee in a more equall and reasonable path ) would better cure thy disease , and bring thee to an understanding of thy selfe . Absence ( wee say ) from our Mistresse , makes us most forgetfull of her ; and least we thinke of her when wee discourse of Arguments least concerning her ; whilst reading Idle Pamphlets , the very bane and canker of Youth , and Age too : for Age is as subject to Dotage , as Youth to Fancy ; putting us in mind of our former distracting passions , A Lovers Ecphonesis . crying : Nec me minor urget Amor : with hard-hearted Mistresse , inconstant Dame , sickle in affection , inconstant in thy Resolution ! shedding as many teares as would drowne his Mistresse , if she were not so light , as she is able to beare herselfe above water . Alas poore Lover ! and whereto so many fruitlesse wishes , so discomfortable laments , so discordant Eccho's of redoubled sighes , Aye me unhappy ? Thou knowest not how these reasonlesse perturbations make thee more loathed than loved , more intranced than fancied ; and more beleagred with passions anew , than to salve those passions wherewith thou wer 't tormented of old .

Read the continent Life of Zenocrates , dedicated wholly to Chastity ; not a Laïs ( though never so motive ) can induce him to gage his reputation to a Harlot . Read me the noble disposition of Scipio Affrican , who scorn'd to make himselfe a Slave to his fancy : Looke upon the History of Antony and Cleopatra . the royall mind of that potent Alexander , who would not captive his affection to his Captive : the undestained Resolution of the Matron Antonia , Wife to Drusus : that chast Tragedian Sophocles , Vid. Val. Max. lib. 4. cap. 30. who being demanded , whether hee ever applyed his mind to sensuall affections , replyed ; Dij meliora : Heaven forefend , a Strumpet should put on a Tragick Buskin . These continent Relations will reduce thy stragling motions to a more setled and retired harbour .

And surely , ☜ did we but know what Honour takes her repose in so sweet an Harbour ; Here he shews what honour is to be ascribed to Continence . wee would soone strike Anchor . First then , wee will here shew to you what Honour is to be ascribed to Continence . How much the very Pagans ( whose desires onely clos'd in Morall Honesty ) valued this precious Jemme . How votive Virgins chused rather to be deprived of Life , than of their Honour . And how those who violated that religious Vow , suffer'd the very extreamest kind of Censure : Whereof Campus Martius was ever made the Tragicke Theatre , Vid. Var. Val. Max. Gell. Strab. &c. I leave to those who have writ amply of that Subject .

Memorable is the Story of that noble Lady Armenia ; who being bidden to King Cyrus Wedding , went thither with her Husband : at Night when they were returned home , her Husband asked her , how she liked the Bridegroome ; whether she thought him to be a faire and beautifull Prince or no ? In truth , said she , I know not : for all the while I was forth , I cast mine eyes upon none other but upon thy selfe .

One of Hiëro's Enemies reproaching him with a stinking breath , went home and questioned his Wife why shee told him nothing thereof : but what was her Reply ? I though , quoth she , all men had the same savour .

To continue the Memory of their Conjugall Constancy and Nuptiall Continence , you shall ever in these Creatures of the weaker Sexe , finde admirable Motives both for Instruction and Imitation .

Cannia , Wife to Synattus , whom one Synoris , a man of greater Authority than he , loved ; and making no small meanes by prayer , price , and power to obtaine her love , yet all in vaine ; supposed the readiest way for the effecting his desires to be the murd'ring of her Husband : which he performed : and no sooner executed , than hee renewed his Suite , to which she seemed to assent . But being solemnely come into the Temple of Diana for the celebrating those Nuptiall Rites , she had a sweet potion ready which she drunke to Synoris : wherewith they both were poisoned ; to revenge her Husbands death .

The like admirable Constancy shew'd Theogena Wife to Agathocles , in her Husbands greatest misery ; approving her selfe most his owne , when hee was relinquish't and forsaken of his owne : promising him , that she would not partake with him onely in prosperity , but in what fortune soever should befall him .

That constant Loialty , and royall Continency of the incomparable Zenobia to her Husband Odonatus ( though a Barbarian Queene ) cannot be too much admired ; her Zeale shee exprest not onely to him living , but dying . No Monument she held fit to containe his Corpse but her owne body ; that carrying his shrine still about her ( being what she could not remove from her ) shee might ever reteine him in her memory . But no question , her princely affection to History had highly increased in her this Loialty . ☜ For by her reading of others what appeared in others so truely commendable , with a pious ambition shee aspired to an imitation thereof in her selfe .

The Women of India ( whether wonne with strength of Custome , or Conjugall Devotion ) when any of their Husbands dyeth , are wont to fall into Contention through the vehemency of their affection , which of them ( for they are permitted to have many Wives ) hee loved best in his life : Shee that winneth , being very joyfull ( a great Company of her Friends and Kinsfolke following her , to celebrate her funerall honour ) is cast into the fire with her dead Husband .

But every Crates must not looke to be Polycrates : such Cognizants must not be for every mans sleeve . That Sentence ever deserves approvement : As there is a pleasure in loving those to whom we are espoused , living ; so it is an office of piety to honour them dying . Their life injoynes us to be true to their Bed , their Death exacts no lesse to their memory .

Nor is this Continence held onely in esteeme with those who partake of Reason : for even such Creatures as are led by Sense , are no lesse jealous of their Love , nor lesse speedy in revenging Lust : which may be confirmed by this Example .

The History calls him Crathis , from the River ( as may be supposed ) neare which he inhabited . A certaine libidinous Citizen dwelling in the Towne of Sybaris , bounding upon the River Crathis , so monstruously and unnaturally raged in the heate of immoderate Lust , as on a time , neglecting all humanity , to extinguish the violent flames of his bestiall affection , came to a Shee-goat and coupled with her ; which the High-goat , as one seeing , yet reserving revenge for a fitter time , he found this Sybarite one day fast asleepe ; wherefore to redresse the injury of his corrupted Love , and revenge the horrour of his detested Lust , he presently set upon him , and mall'd him to death with his hornes .

But to close all in one ; what Honour the Ancient Romans with other Ethnicks , ascribed to Continence : and how much they scorned that the least blemish should be aspersed on their House in that kind , may be made as cleare as light by that memorable Example of Virginius . The Story is thus . Virginius , one of a Plebeian descent , but of a Patritian spirit , lest his House should be dishonoured , spared not his owne blood . For when Appius Claudius , one of the Decem-viri , sought with strong hand to deflower his Daughter , being a Virgin , Virginius brought her into the Market-place , and there kill'd her , chusing rather to be her Murtherer , undefiled , Val. Max. lib. 6 cap. 1. than her Father , deflowred .

Now , having showne you the Honour due to Continence ; I would have you in the second place to consider , how soone a precious Name is lost : How soone a precious name is lost ; with what difficulty re-gain'd . and with what difficulty regain'd . It is not sufficient for you to refraine onely from doing ill , but from doing ought that may be supected for ill . Variety of Examples you shall finde every where in this kind . A Name highly priz'd , and quickly lost : and being lost , not the wealth of the Indies could redeeme .

Thirdly , The pleasure short ; the purchase shame . reflect upon the pleasure how short it is : and of the purchase , what shame it is . Demosthenes could answer Laïs deare demmand for so short a pleasure , I will not buy Repentance at so deare a rate . And a farre more precious gage he had to lose , if an Ethnick light could have mounted so high . With the like Answer sleight every light Courtezans proffer ; ascribing to that inestimable Jewell of Continence all due Honour .

But yet I must proceed farther ; art thou Ambitious , and hast both wings and will to flye ? Thou art soaring with Icarus ; and thy waxen wings ( no question ) must be dissolved with Icarus : he gave a Sea a name ; but thou hast a Sea in thine owne braine ; thou art floting , and ( Camelion-like ) feedest upon the aire of thine owne fancy : Thou art now for building a second Pyramides in the aire ; and no doubt but thou wouldst perfect thy intentions , if death prevent thee not .

Thou art a vaine Foole , thou seest many worthy honouring , daily declining ; merits undeserving , raised to height above themselves : not a Senator , or sage Purple Father , but subjected to an undeserving censure : and what is the cause ? Why , honour procureth censure ; and yet thou art well ; served well , safely retired , not envied , nor maligned by the opposites of greatnesse ; and yet thou desirest ( like another Phoebus ) to shine in the eye of the Court , to shew thine owne admiration by a vaine flourish , commenting on thine owne perfections , which need some Exposition : for they cannot demonstrate themselves . Alas , how strangely art thou transported above thy selfe ! not apprehending how the meanes of rising oft-times procure an unexpected fall . Consider thy owne unbridled desires , and seeke to represse them , I pray thee doe ; and take this observance with thee : Never looke into either moderne Histories or Ancient , for the projects , how they grounded the foundation of their plots ; but aime at the end and event of their designes , what issue they had : there thou shalt see a Caesar reigne long , and attaine the very height of his hopes ; yet his continuance abridged , and his new-established Monarchy ( in himselfe ) quite ruinate in a stabbe . The fall of Parasites . Here a Sejanus ( who was Ferox sceleris ) a great hunter after cruelty , become the last of his aspiring desires , and the sponge ( as Tacitus observeth ) who being squized , only enriched his Emperours fortunes , and made himselfe miserable by his owne fall : for Ambitious men , who leap to greatnesse , for the most part , hoppe without heads , and too late repent their madnesse .

TO run over ever Vice particularly , would require a Treatise ampler of themselves , then I have allotted my selfe . Third Branch ; Particular profit drawne from History to particular persons . Proceed I must to my third branch , The particul●r profit which redounds to every private state or family , from discourses of this nature . I know that the natural depravation of Man is such , as that he fixeth his mind upon that , which ( for the most part ) conferres least profit , and most delight : this is lively exemplified even in Historical Discourses ; where we shall see men ( for the most part ) rather addicted to fabulous Travailes , the Survey of strange and never-heard of Ilands , prodigious sights , Monsters , Chymera's , and meere imaginary fancies , then to such narrations as might minister instruction and benefit to every particular Reader . What fabulous Histories more suffered than approved . Some we see delighted with the strange and incredible miracles of Mandevill : others with the victorious combats of our Bevis of Southampton : others , more conversant with the Tragick Histories of our time ( prodigies in part meerely invented . ) And last of all ( which in my judgement is worst of all ) others with the phantastick writings of some supposed Knights , ( Don Quixotte Transformed into a Knight with the Golden Pestle ) with many other fruitlesse inventions , A wit●y invention , but full of distraction . moulded only for delight without profit . These Histories I altogether exclude my Oeconomy , or private Family ; I have culd out more beneficiall Discourses for youth to employ themselves withall ; producing a subject from the pure Cabinet of Truth : not from the braine of every Quack-salver , that runs out his inventions by selling lyes at grosse-sale .

TO expresse our Latine Authors I need not , so much is our Country benefited by Translators , as the Neat-heard in his Hovell may discourse as well of Cornelius Tacitus ( if he know his mothers tongue ) as our best Latinists . In my opinion no Argument better for instruction then that Author : and if I should dwell upon one , I had rather insist upon his phrases ( though seemingly perplexed ) then any other Roman Author , Vid. in vit. Neron . how perspicuous soever .

Tranquillus writes true , but he unrips the immodesties of the time with too long discourse up n every particular vice . Nothing ( sayth Quintilian ) can be esteemed more perfect , then the elegancy and brevity of Salusts speech ( Presertim apud vacuas & eruditas aures ; ) and I assent to his opinion ; the singularity of his phrase was ( which may seeme strange ) without affectation : Aul. Gel. in Noct. Attic. so Aulius Gellius ( a very Aristarchus for the search of Antiquities ) testifieth of him . Neither Fabius affraid to entitle him , The chiefe of the Roman Historians , as Thucidides the Prince of the Grecians . Yet in these Histories there is an exactnesse of understanding required ; and more doe their writings conduce to State-affaires , then private and Domestik employment .

Now , ☜ His Judgement of divers approved Histori●ns ; extracted from the best Authors . to deliver our judgement of divers approved Historians : extracted from the best Authors : Titus Livius , by the testimony of Phil. Commines , as he is to this day had in great honour by the Italians , who retaine still a forme of the Antient Roman Government , and that in some poynts most exactly ; describes in a sweete and well-composed Style , how that flourishing Empire ( which afterwards swallowed up many eminent States ) sprung up at first , how it increased , what was done commendably , what viciously , during the whole progresse of her rising ; till labouring of her owne weight , and press downe with her owne Grandeure , her full light fell to be eclyps'd , her height to a declining . Of this Historian , I have spoke in many places ; yet me thinkes there is still something omitted that might bee properly annexed for an additament to his praise .

Right well I know ( to close in opinion with Erasmus ) that there is no reading more accommodate , no Discourse better suiting men of quality than that of Hïstory ; amongst which Titus Livius holds the prime place ( I speake of Latine Historians onely ) especially , Erasmus . seeing nothing is extant of Salusts , but onely two fragments .

In his judgement , then , as no Discourse is more requisitely familiar than with Historians ; so he holds Livie to be the Prince of all Latine Historians : and fittest to be a Gentlemans acquaintance . Great , no question , was his modesty ; his owne Workes may confirme it : Whether ( saith he ) I shall performe that Taske which may seeme worthy my Labour , if I relate whatsoever hath beene done by the people of Rome from the first foundation of that City , neither doe I sufficiently know , neither if I did know , durst I attempt such an enterprise .

And yet he proceeded in that Labour , and perfected it with great honour : albeit , his pious feare exprest the sweetnesse of his temper . Neither fell he short in Sincerity , though he seemingly pretended a feare , which implide his modesty . For what is rare in Historians , ( especially , writing of Princes and their Actions , in their owne times ) hee was never taxed of partiality , nor mincing truth : were the Personages of whom he wrote never so great , nor authority in office high .

A Subje●t , indeed , never worthy the penne of of so deserving an Historian ; none could possibly have : nor more variety of actions both in a calme and troubled State . And though Authors in their arguments of Discourse and Historicall Relation finde ever the largest fields to walke in , to be fields of blood : where no day can passe without some notable action deserving the memory of a succeeding age ; yet in that time and state wherein he bestowed his paines , the retiredst houres from imployment afforded him an occasion of delivering some Observation or other worthy the approvement of a judicious Eye .

For his Style ( as I have else-where noted ) it was nothing so darke nor concise as that of Tacitus . ☜ The former more dilated ; the latter more contracted . Both serious ; the latter more sententious . These ground the first face or foundation of a State upon Lawes ; and they shew with what obedience those were observed in their infancy . Romulus and Remus were both builders ; the one materiall , the other mentall . Numa begot in His both love and loyalty , by bringing His to understand themselves legally . Now , no sooner have they planted a State , then they beginne to strengthen it with Actions . Desire of Command calls them abroad . Their Powers must be levied , Commanders elected , and those Wars made sinnewy and strong , that some exploit worthy the name of such a Nation may be performed .

And having now presented the body of a State in her full growth , they shew what is done , not without due attributes to them , by whom those actions were done . They runne into commendation of those Agents of Valour , and they conclude ; Such as the Captaine is , such is the Souldier . They bring in Scipio , who used to have this Sentence in his mouth : That easie , favourable & affable Captaines were profitable to the enemy , which though they were beloved of their Souldiers , yet they set little by them . This , so wise and experienst a Commander could not chuse but make good use of : for the obedience of Scipio's Souldiers towards their Generall is confirmed by his owne attestation : So observant were mine of whatsoever I commanded them , Nullus est horum qui non conscensâ turri , semel in marc-praecipitat urus sit , Si iussero . Plut. that if I bad them clime to the toppe of a Tower , and from thence throw themselves head-long into the Sea , there was not one of them but would obey me .

There is no passage to enliven the Spirit of a Souldier , which these omit : and all these couched in so Princely a Style , as without affectation , it comprehends much State . In a word , time shall sooner cease to breath , than posterity to breath their fame .

For the Epitomes of these , as Luc. Florus and others ; me thinkes they may bee compared to short Commons . They doe well so farre as they goe ; but they leave the Reader still with a strong Appetite . Something is ever omitted , which leaves the Stomacke craving and unsatisfide .

It is true indeede , that such Collections are usefull for memory : like briefe Notes or Diaries , which we carry about with us : And for ordinary Discourse , will serve well enough . But a Schollers Historicall Taske is of more difficulty , than to receive life and spirit from an Epitome .

The judiciousest and most compendious Epitomizer breathing , should he Analise an entire History ; and after many serious re-views and re-collections , contract the whole body thereof into a briefe Methodicall Compendiary : So farre short should he find himselfe fall from the mind of the Author : as upon the next re-view , he would ingenuously confesse , that he had rather runne over him , than conversed with him .

For Gellius , his Discourse rather falls upon Philosophicall argumentation , than any Historicall relation . Winter Nights you shall finde there well bestowed . And he Styles them Athenian Nights , to expresse how those Studies with which Athens most flourished , were there sociably debated , Scholastically argued , and judiciously composed . Some Pieces of Naturall History are heere and there interveined , which may minister occasion both of profit and delight to such as shall seriously peruse them .

Touching Valerius Maximus , his writings stand more upon Apothegmes than History . He takes Survey of such especiall Vertues and Vices as pressed most upon those times . Wherein , he recommends to posterity such memorable Persons as were Mirrours for the practise of the One ; and rigid Censors in punishing the Other . He discovers nothing but by example ; a moving kinde of perswasion for imitation of goodnesse ; and aversion from whatsoever is evill .

Quintus Curtius , his Sceane is single : his whole Discourse consists mainly upon the actions of one Prince ; yet many pleasant and remarkable passages shall you finde in the Princely progresse of his life . A brave spirit displayed in every action . One , who knew how to vanquish ; and how to moderate his felicity . One , who if he were not what he was , could chuse with all his heart to be a poor Philosopher . One , who amidst his Military affaires , and managements of State , would deagne to talke with learning : purposely to improve himselfe as well in Arts as Armes . Never Prince by his power could doe more , and by a sweet attemprature of his command , revengelesse .

Megabizes esteemed Alexander as a Prince whilst he stood in his Schoole and said nothing , but when hee began to talke of things which he knew not : he said unto him , that Even his little Children would , laugh him to scorne . This affront could that great Commander beare with a Princely patience : and labour by his owne endeavour , and the instruction of an incomparable Master , to redeeme his ignorance .

Though a Cynick teach him mortality in an homely manner : and encounter him with mouldred Sculls in his triumph to his Countrey ; he will scarcely reprove him for it , but usefully apply it , and benefit more by it , than by all those Nations he had conquered .

Yet must his Errours be touched , that the sincerity of an Historian may become approved . His easie inclining to Laïs lay no small taint nor tincture on his honour ; that the counsell of a Wanton should get the Conquest of such a Conquerour .

Velleius Patereulus , as he was no lesse elegant in his Style , than sinnowey and substantial in that Subject whereof he treated ; may be justly bemoaned , that the injury of time should leave such maimes in his Workes : as no mention at all is made of all those glorious actions and memorable exploits of the Romans , from the very prime foundation of the City , till the ruine of the Macedonian Kingdome , by Aemilius , during the space of five hundred yeares or more . So as , what now remaines extant of him , shewes him not so full , as to the halfe Body : nor that neither in his owne native lustre and beauty . In a word , unhappy was he in his mutilation , more unhappy in his Translation .

For Iosephus , that sincere relater of the Jewish Warres , I shall take occasion presently to speake of him ; give mee leave onely to render him that commendation which Constantine the Emperour was sometimes pleased to bestow on so noble and faithfull an Historian : As his life deserved perpetuall praise , so his death eternall honour .

Touching Appianus Alexandrinus in his Discourse of the Romane affaires , in my judgement he shewes both wit and strength in his Lines . Not a pleasant passage but merits approvement from his Pen. None more serious , when he desires to be weighty ; none more delightfull , when the Subject admits a freedome to be witty .

For our Greeke Ethnick Historians ( for of those Ecclesiasticall Writers , we shall speake of them in their due place ; ) none comparable to Plutarch for Historicall Morality ; nor to Thucidides , for State and Majesty ; nor to Herodotus , for Method and Perspecuity ; nor to Herodian , for a quick and active Discovery ; nor to Zenophon , for a rich Philosophicall Delivery . Where every Sentence workes strongly on the Sence , and begets some new Principle of Experience .

But these , as I observed , wrote onely upon the Actions of those times , with the quality of the Persons interessed in those Actions : being both for matter of Discipline and service estranged from us , and consequently reteine lesse affinity with us . Yet of singular use ( if discretion be had for severing the chaffe from the pure graine ) both for instruction and exemplary direction to these times .

I will retire my selfe to such as may yeeld the Reader no little profit by consideration had to the judgments of God ; modestly mixing Morall instructions with a sweet variety of Divine discourse : a matter which may seeme directly opposite to my first intention , but is not so ; for these Histories which I meane to produce , are so grounded upon infallible truths , as in that respect they may seeme to merit a morally-Divine Title . Iosephus commended . Iosephus works I especially entertaine into my Family , as best describers of the judgements of God , expressers to the life , of an obdurate and stiffe-necked generation . Here to behold the incomparable beauty of that glorious Temple ( the type of the Coelestiall Temple ) founded by that wisest of men , and that peace of Princes , Salomon , defaced , and that City which was once called , The City of the great King , demolished , Circumstances in the Iewish Warre give an excellent beauty to the Discourse Vespatian is said to have his Tents there first pitched where our Saviour was taken . and layd levell with the ground . Then to direct our Eye to the wonderfull judgments of God in raising civil discords , and mutinies amongst the Iewes themselves , the greatest meanes of their subversion , the maine predictions of their ruine and utter destruction , before these warres came upon them ; yet their impieties not a whit lessened , their arme of sinne shortned , nor remorse of conscience excited : no refuge to the Religious , In Montem Olivarum Castra metans , &c. but defence to the wicked in every place of the City ministred . Then Survey the pollution of that Sacred Temple , where Altars were once Erected , Peace-offering sacrificed , and the Prayers of the holy Consecrated to God ; there nought but effussion of bloud , slaughters among themselves ( an Occurrent remarkeable ) committing no lesse Massacres upon themselves in the ceasing of Warre , then the Romans did in the heat of warre : being wholly exposed to Tyrannicall Factions in the City ; to expose themselves to Roman servitude more easily . These examples of Gods Justice , are worthy our Observation , to admonish us of our peculiar duties , The judgment of God in that History most remarkable . careful how we offend , serious in the administration of Justice : For how should we think he will spare the wilde Vine , that hath thus dealt with his owne naturall Vine ? When he hath dealt thus with the Greene Tree , what will he do with the Dry Tree ? That Vine was planted with his owne Hand , watered with the dew of his especiallest favours from Heaven , dressed and pruned , yet behold the wilde Boare hath rooted it up : Et seges est ubi Troia fuit .

The truth of that History is so undoubted , as besides his owne concordance in relating , there is none that ever made question of the Truth and Verity thereof , composing what he wrote , not by report of Others , who speake ( for most part ) as they are affected , but by the approbation of his owne Eyes , the best outward directresses to inward knowledge .

To this Noble Historian ( for he was Nobly Discended ) I may adde those excellent Greeke Writers , Divine Histories . worthy and memorable : as Nicephorus , Evagoras , Socrates , &c. For their Divine Examples plentifull , the successe of the Christians amidst the tyrannies of the cruellest Emperours wonderfull : the diverse sorts of torments by those Tyrants invented , pittifull ; and the dismall and terrible end of those Blood-suckers , fearefull . Insolency punished . Here thou shalt see an Herod transported above himselfe , with the acclamation of his people : Not the voyce of Man , but of God : And presently behold his pompe converted into loathsomnesse , his preceedent joy to a subsequent pensivenesse , and the excellency of admiration to a suddaine amazednesse ; he that seemed before a God , and no Man , is now by God made the miserablest of Man , forlorne and dejected : nay , if we would observe the whole current of their Histories , we shall see in them that God ever used to recompence the Offendour with a punishment of the like nature : Nicephorus reports , An excellent Example . how Herodias daughter having begged the head of Iohn Baptist , chanced on a time to go over a main river , frozen over with Ice , Punishment alluding to the condition of the fact . where the Ice presently parting received her , and meeting againe cut off her head , a true and evident Testimony of Gods judgment .

The like of that blasphemous wretch Iulian , a foule-mouth'd detractor from the glory of God : who on a time mocked a Christian for talking reverently of the bowels of CHRISTS compassions : But what end came of this miserable Atheist ? His bowels fell out of his belly , Blasphemy punished . being thrust through with a Javeling , confessing the power of God with a regreate , saying : Vicisti O Galilee ! &c. yet vouchsafing to bestow no better name on him , then Galilean , a fearefull end of a most prophane Blasphemer .

The like of Dioclesian that cruell Emperour ( and a great persecutor of the Christians ) who , whilst he raigned seemed little or nothing to feare the Divine power of Heaven ; yet the History records , that Feare was the greatest occasion of his death ; no , that he died by a voluntary feare , very jealous of the Aire , lest it should pierce his Braine .

☞ The like exemplary punishments inflicted on other Delinquents . The like of Maximinus , who at that time raged in the East , as Maxentius did in the West . Of whose Cruelties to returne a full Catalogue , would require an ampler Discourse than I have reserved for him . Hee , I say , who accumulated upon himselfe these Titles : Emperour Caesar , Maximinus , puissant , magnificent , Chiefe Lord , Lord of Thebais , Lord of Sarmatiae , five times Conquerour of Persia , Lord of Germany , Lord of Aegypt , twice Conqueror of the Carpians , sixe times Conqueror of the Armenians , Lord of the Medes , Lord of the Adiabeni , Vid. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 17 , 18. Twenty times Tribune , Nineteene times generall Captaine , Eight times Consul , Father of the Countrey , Proconsul , &c.

This matchlesse Tyrant , thus swolne up with Titles , after such time as he had plenteously rioted in the blood of the Saints , and sleighted the power of Heaven : feasted in nothing more than the bloody Bankets of dislaughter'd Christians . Wherefore a Plague from above lighted on him , first taking roote in is flesh , and afterwards proceeding even unto his Soule . For there arose suddenly in the secret parts of his body ( to chastise him for his licentious impurity ) an Imposthume or running Sore , afterwards in the lower parts of his privities a botchy corrupt Bile , with a Fistula ; whence issued out corrupt matter , eating up the inward bowells , and an unspeakable multitude of Lice swarming out , and breathing a deadly stinch , The Corruption of his body seconds the Tyrants Cruelty : dispatching such with his stinch , whom he had reserved for that Death in his healthfull estate . when as the Corpulency of the whole body through abundance of meate before the disease came , was turned into superfluous grosnesse ; and then being growne to matter , yeelded an intollerable and horrible Spectacle to the beholders . Wherefore of the Physitians , some not able to digest that wonderfull noysome stinch , were slaine : some other ( when there remained no hope of Recovery , by reason of the swelling throughout the whole body ) being not able to helpe at all with their Physicke , were cruelly executed themselves .

But let us ( if you please ) take a Summary or briefe Survey ( the benefit will answer the pursuit ) how those Emperours which were Ethnicks and Panims , maintainers of Idolatry and Paganisme ; and how of the contrary , such as cleaved unto the Christian Faith , and held it there royall'st Prerogative to be Defenders of it , ended their Reigne .

Was not Caius Iulius Caesar the first Emperor , slaine by Conspiracy ? Did not certaine Souldiers with naked Swords dispatch Caius the Nephew of Tiberius ? Was not Nero murdered by one of his familiar and deare Friends ? Had not Galba the like end , Otho and Vitellius who all three reigned onely sixteene Moneths ? What shall I speake of Titus , whom Domitianus poisoned , although he was his owne Brother ? What say you of Commodus , did not Narcissus dispatch him out of the way ? What shall I speake of Pertinax , and what of Iulian , enjoyed not both they one kind of Death ? What , did not Antonius the Sonne of Severus murther his Brother Geta ? And did not Martialis requite him with the like ? What shall I say of Macrinus ? did not the Souldiers use him like a Captive about Bizantium , and cruelly put him to death ? Was not Aurelius Antonius of Emessa murthred together with his Mother ? Was not Alexander immediately after him , together with his Mother likewise put to death ? What shall I say of Maximinus ( whom we formerly mentioned ) whom his owne Army dispatched ? Or of Gordianus , who through the Treason of Philip was in like sort by his owne Souldiers put to death ? Tell me , I pray thee thy selfe O Zosimus , what happened unto Philip , and after unto Decius , were they not slaine by the Enemy ? Take Callus and Volusianus with them , were they not murthered by their owne Armies ? What of Aemilianus , had not he the like miserable end ? What Valerianus , was not he taken by the Persians in Battell , and led about of them in Triumph ? What Galienus ? was he not slaine through Treason , and Carinus beheaded when Dioclesian came to be Emperor ; whom Dioclesian cut off lest they should Reigne with him ? After whom Herculius Maximianus , his sonne Maxentius , and Licinius dyed with contumely and shame enough .

But since the time most noble Emperor Constantine began to reigne , since hee consecrated unto God the City he had built , and called it after his owne name , looke about I pray you , and speake indifferently , was there any one Emperour in that City ( Iulian , whose Apostasy exposed him to an imperious Tyranny , onely excepted ) that was murthered , either by his owne Subject , or by the Enemy : or any other Tyrant vanquished the Emperour . Basiliscus excepted : who , although he thrust Zeno beside the Imperial Scepter , he was overcome of him againe , and lost his head .

These Examples extracted from infallible grounds , may seeme the judicious understanding of the Gravest , and fittest for Private Families , where order is best attained by Examples : We use most to be moved , when we see the end of such a Man , to caution us ; Vid. Lud. vivem . de educ . virgin . 1. lib. who having led his life securely , concludes the period of his dayes as miserably : And some have I knowne even of the discreetest and most vertuous parents , who , to deterre their children from Drunkennesse , used ( like as the Epirotes did with their children ) to hang the picture of a Hog wallowing in a filthy puddle , with this Inscription on it : An usuall meanes of reclaiming drunkards from their beastiall filthinesse . Abite Symposia , distrabitis negotia . ib. Iumentum bibit quantum sufficit ; Homo bibet quantum sus●ocet . ib. Nunc Ebrius astet , Mequé Suem sumpsisse suam formam — Drunkard , if thou wouldst see this forme of thine , Come here and see 't depictur'd in a Swine .

The Lascivious and sensuall worldling , decyphered with this Character : Myrrha hanging in a chaine of gold about her father Cyneras bed , Every vice briefly decyphered . with this Impressa .

Hinc Amor ut tenuit , suspendet .

The miserable wretch that makes his gold his God , best expressed by Menedemus , with his Spade , delving and digging for life , with this Motto : Non tu sed tui f●nuntur tuis . Dum tu tuis dominaris , tui dominantur tuis . Sic mihi divitias Famulique pati .

Truest decyphering of all ices , proceeding from the exemplary events of Delinquents , committing what they like , and at last feeling what they like not : Oeconomicall Histories , teaching Private Families how to be disposed . The best government in private , proceeds from Histories , and the serious reading thereof : the vertuous Matron squaring her course , by that modestest of Romane Dames Lucretia , making her ( colum her thorum ) her Distasse , her best companion in her bed , when her husband was absent : no vicious mind can deprave her , she is fighting at home with her owne passions , whilst Colatine her husband fights in the field against his Countries enemy : But you shall see Lentulus and Aruns , their wives rioting , and revelling in their husbands absence . ☞ Necessary instructions for all Private Estates .

You shall finde sundry Instructions highly conducing to all Private Estates , in these Surveys of Histories . Directions for those are married ; how to demeane themselves in their severall ranks or conditions . How the Roman Dames , after they had taken them to Husbands , were to bid adue to publique concourse : by breaking of the Axle-tree of their Waggons at their Bridegroomes doore : and putting off their shooes , ( implying , that they were thenceforth to keepe within doores , and never to goe abroad . ) What Instructions likewise were given them , to prepare them before they tooke themselves to a married state ; which ( to omit others lesse pertinent ) were digested in this sort :

Love all , but reserve your peculiar affection to One.

Hate whatsoever deserves your pious neglect : and entertaine that Subject , as one worthy your truest tender , who would rather dye than asperse the least blemish on your honour .

Hold him dearer than your life , who knows the essence of Love : who scornes to make a Semblance of that in Act or Tongue , which his intimatest thoughts confirme not for a truth .

Piety should be your Diary : Sanctity your Deity .

Earth your contempt : Elysium your content . Let this be your Object , that your Subject : That your Inne , this your Mansion .

You are yet but one selfe , one Soule : if ever you live to unite it ; let it be linked to such a Love , as may essentially delight it : ever cheere it , never cloy it .

The misery of an enforced Marriage , what Tragick effects it h'as wrought ; the World can witnesse : where joyning of hands comming from dis-joyned hearts , hath made many a Nuptiall , an heavy Funerall .

Portion is a Worldings Object : Beauty the amorous Fooles Darling . Whereas , Vertue , be she never so poore , nor to the outward eye never so meane ; reteines in her what may truely enrich those that shall have her : and expresse that beauty in Age , which farre surpasseth all others in their Prime .

You , whose happinesse it hath ever beene to gaine repute ; crowne those rayes of your Morning , with a glorious Evening . And to ripen those native seeds of goodnesse in you , make choice of such an one for your Mate , whose knowledge may improve you ; that Art and Nature may make you such an absolute Creature , as whosoever eyes you , may admire you : and draw one line from your accomplishment , whereby they may imitate you .

Though you be left , while others are chosen , hold not this your Contempt but Honour . Heavens have reserv'd you for the last Dish , to season the palate of a select Guest . Those Jewells are not in value least , that are vended last .

Your affection hath beene long in planting : those are the best Foundations .

That madding Fancy is a Frency , where Deliberation makes no entry .

You have observed others choice ; yet you preferred your Maiden-state before any change . A Marriage-day could not so fire your affection ; as to beget in you one straying thought of altering your condition . What a fixt Resolve was this in Youth ? you were no envious Corrivall in others Rites ; but were pleased to see others fed , with what you never tasted ; harmlesly joying to heare others joy in that you never enjoyed .

But being so well read in Man , yet never knowne to Man , make use of your Lecture , and in a lawfull embrace give way to Nature .

Let your Posterity make you a Mother ; your breeding beget a new life in those who shall be got of you : that like tender Osiers twisted about you , they may become melodious Instruments to those Superiour Powers that made you . To whose auspicious protection in the choice of your affection , that you may never stand in need of Viri-plata's Mediation , we recommend you .

The like Directions you shall finde for Virgins , and such as embraced a single life : with sundry Morall Motives to exhort Widdows to Continence . Instructions likewise for Oeconomicall Discipline : Experimentall grounds or Observations for Husbandry ; all which for Brevity sake I passe over , Val. Max. Strabo . M●crob . Lud. viv . &c. referring you to such who have copiously inlarged themselves in Subjects of this nature .

If our Historians , now a daies , would employ their Lampes and Oyle in the delivery of a profitable History , such as might rather tend to the cherishing of the unripened blossomes of vertue , then the nipping of them : How happy members were they ? Yea , that I may use Salusts words , though they retired themselves from publick affaires , yet ; Majus commodum ex eo otio , Historians most profitable to the Common-weale . quàm ex aliorum negotijs Reipub. venturum : Yet such have bin the depraved humours of former times , that the best Observors and Relators , have purchased little , save Envy , for their Labours : no , the very chiefest Historians have opposed themselves one against another . Enmity amongst Historians themselves .

Titus Livius was so violent against poore Salust ( as Seneca observeth ) as he objected that certaine things , Transcribed by Salust out of Thucidides , though elegantly applyed , yet by him depraved and corrupted ; which Aurelius Fuscus also , noteth to be done , as it were , of set purpose by Salust , to derogate from the excellency of Thucidides writings : A meere detraction to such a worthy Author : But what workes meriting Emulation , have not ever had Envy for their attendants ? Hesiod . 1. lib. I conceive the reason to proceed from that of Hesiod , who inferreth in Professions , none to be more apt to envy one another , then such as be of one Trade : Figulus figulum odit : True , for where eyther singularity is required , or hope of gaine , there Envy is ever shooting her impoisoned Arrowes : And ( for the most part ) Envy raigneth there most , where our Labours deserve most : The low Mushrome is seldome touched by the violence of any Tempest , but the peering Cedar is ever exposed to all vehemencies .

For the particular use of Histories , and their fruit , Trog . Pomp. I have gathered these Observances , extracted from a judicious Writer : Expert he was in all Historiall Relations , as his apt similitudes more fully demonstrate : what they are I have here set downe , and as contractedly ( as I could imagine ) for the benefit of every understanding Reader .

If History comprehend in it any certaine documents for the instruction of Mans life , A compendious discourse of the generall profit of History . I suppose it expedient for all men ; as well to select and make use of it , as to rush violently into such most plentifull and fruitfull fields of History , where all exemplary grounds are in ample sort propounded . For what can be more pleasant , or more profitable , then in the Theatre of Mans life ; so , to be made wary and wise by other mens harmes ( and that without harme ) as to sit in safety , and yet to be instructed in all parts without jeopardy : chusing out Examples of all kind , which thou maist apply unto thy owne peculiar use , upon all occasions ? And whereas History , is conversant oftentimes in the secretest counsels , importing the weightiest affaires of the greatest Persons : we that are men do with greatest appetite covet them , as likewise to be interressed in their events , because it is impossible ( through the shortnesse of mans life ) otherwise to abridge the successions of times , by the limit of our forgetfull memory : or to see the prosperous Fortunes , Successes , and Ends of Empires , or manifestly to conceive the Causes of evils , eyther private or publicke ; or in every hard and difficult assay , to have a president before our eyes , of such things as were tryed before us , or which were in hazard before they were attempted by us : and that I may speake all in one word ; to judge of things present , by things past , which is the property of a wise man , and discreetly to foresee of what is to come by all succeeding events . But it becommeth us , to come so much the better furnished , by how much our History is with all fruits better fraught and replenished : And whereas there is the very same difficulty in judging rightly , as well of our owne , as anothers life ; there is none that can duly ( how piercingey'd soever ) judge of anothers life , that hath not measured his owne : Of both sides it is to be implyed , that not onely a maine difficulty is here placed , but also before we be to this History addressed , it is required necessarily , that we be not only endued with a certaine Civill Wisdome and Moderation , but also to have our lives grounded on a setled intention , unlesse we will be miserably , and that perpetually , deluded with the vaine illusions of this life .

An apt similitude . For even as it fares in a most sumptuous and royall Banket , replenished with all sorts of dainties , one thing seemes delightfull to one which is distastfull to another ; few things are liked of all , every one being best pleased with his owne , though all dishes be alike to the Glutton : and as every one's appetite is , so is he affected ; yet there is a meane ( which Nature hath ordained ) and a certaine kind of nourishment , which in it selfe is meerely simple and uncorrupted , and best agreeing with our bodies : From which , whosoever departeth so , as he crammeth himselfe above the bounds or determination of Nature , will find more inconveniency then profit in it . So in this diversity of Mans life , though there be a thousand formes , and a thousand purposes , and as every one is resolved in mind and judgment , so he judgeth of his owne and anothers life : yet there is one only path of vertue , which whosoever keepeth and observeth wisely , he only maketh use of his life really . Others , as in a doubtfull supper , when they invite themselves to all pleasures , can neyther find out in themselues or others what might deserve imitation , or whereto they make might recourse : But if there be any thing given to man by Nature , which is in his power to use well or ill , it behoveth him to use great circumspection in the use thereof : But what is he I pray thee , that wil use more exact consideration in all his words and workes ( by the direct line of vertue ) then in the use of such meats as are set before him ? And who thinkes not himselfe sufficiently instructed herein ? In which how wonderfully are men deceived ? Supposing that Discourse to be History , which teacheth the Reader , ministring to him matter of Learning ( yet so ) as a Banket ministreth use and appetite to every one as he is affected .

This is the reason that we see some so delighted with the sweetnesse of Reading , as obeying their owne pleasure , they loose the inestimable fruits thereof . Such have no other scope in all Histories , then with which our Generous Musitians , use to passe time away , upon their Instruments : employed in reading only , to spend their weary houres , which be presently encountred with more wearisomnesse : For there is no pleasure in it , Nulla voluptas est , quae non respicit virtutē . which hath no reference to Vertue . The glittering object of glory and ambition exciteth others , and that which shewes a flexibility of mind in all other things , vainely transports them to every brave & eminent image , forgetful how glorious and remarkable examples are produced by Writers ; not only to follow vertue , and contemne honour offered us ; but if a Competitor were admitted us to countermaund the authority of our honour , to endure him with patience ; yet , though none but fooles will purpose to aspire to such merited excellence , without the like meriting vertue : we see many men , by the very reading of excellent things , to taste in themselves a certain kind of excellency , arrogating much to themselves , and resembling those Tragedians , who imitate the State of such persons they represented , after they have put off their Habits .

There be also ( but of these there be but a few ) whom new , and unaccustomed things do delight ( men of vulgar apprehension ) who hearing the State of Emperours , for the most part , more esteeme the Purple then the Man , Qui stupet in titulis & imaginibus . the Picture then the Work : So effectuall a force doth History exercise , and imprint in the Mind of the Reader .

Now it is the scope , and draught of all Histories to excite mans sloath , and to arme him against all dangers ; and whereas the force of examples ( then which nothing can be imagined more powerfull to perswade ) tend especially to that end ; it commeth to passe that by the security of men ( who thinke other mens harmes little or nothing to concerne them ) such things ( as in themselves are memorable and worthy observation ) be read and heard with a deafe and carelesse Eare.

To be briefe , there be some also ( which one would hardly thinke ) offend in a more severe , and Criticke kind of reading : as if things should not be Writ as they were done , but as they ought to have beene done . Wherefore , partly by this curiosity , partly by that security ( the very surfeit of confused and rash reading ) it commeth to passe ( as in a body pestred with corrupt humors ) that a certaine 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or ill disposition of judgment and opinion , which ought especially to be sound and sincere in the course of our life , and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , or bad temperature , converting all food into ill humours , useth to be contracted in us : and as meat availeth such as be distempered , nothing , so no profit at all by these meanes is ministred to our reading .

I suppose thou seest how the very same reason is in reading History , and disposing the course of thy life : but this is certainly the greatest difficulty ( to wit ) the perversenesse of our judgment , which is the speciall'st cause , that we are not moved with examples as we ought , but what way as our minds are inclined and affected most . And this difficulty is no lesse then the other : forasmuch as Writers do describe things done , as they do not only carry favour , but follow their owne appetites ( like some Builders ) ever interposing their own peculiar judgments , Artif●cium benevolentiae colligendae habentes . ( of their owne accord ) praising some things , ( though not praise-worthy ; ) and whatsoever liketh them , they imagine it worthy approbation : which ( surely ) if they did simply , it were easie to consent or dissent unto them . But even as Cookes ( for the most part ) do more respect their Maisters Palate then his Profit : Gulam saepiùs quám commodū Heri spectant . Even so an Historian ( I could wish the most did not so ) applies himselfe to the appetite of the Reader . We are oft-times therefore deluded by these two meanes , our owne Judgement , and the prejudice of the Author , not laying things open and naked , as they were done .

An Historian is the best interpreter of Acts atchieved ; whose judgment , if it chance to be corrupt , it commeth to passe , as when Wine ( of it selfe neate and generous ) taketh either some waft of the Caske , or is corrupted by some other distast , which either proceeds from an imposture , or folly great & intollerable . We may see in one only example , the judgment of the Writer ; The prophane Historian ascribeth the events of serious and weighty affaires , to the councell and industry of men ; al-be-it he hath sufficiently tried , how fowly those men were deceived in the events . Hence it is that men be drawne to great folly ; that they , whose knowledge was scarce sufficient for the consideration of things subjected before their eies ; and whose force and strength not much exceeded little Wormes , should by one small successe arrogate the government of the whole world unto them . But a good Historian teacheth thus : Things ( saith he ) are purposed by Man , but disposed , and moderated by God ; whereby he riddeth the scrupulous Reader both of folly and superstition ( a mischiefe no lesse then the other ; ) and in all other proprieties , good Historians ( whose studies are only consecrated to holinesse ) ought not to be ignorant of the Agent and Instrument wherein they differ , and what be their severall Effects : the one moving , and the other moved . But especially I admonish thee to this end ; that whereas I observe many Authors of that kind , who for their exceeding force of innumerable examples , deserve to be read ; I could wish that the Novice-reader discusse with himselfe as circumspectly and seriously as he can , by proposing to himselfe both the fruits which might redound , and the dangers which might occurre him in his reading : for to one that runneth over all Histories cursorily , or who rashly and unadvisedly spends his time without any exact observance of private or publicke duties , it commeth to passe as to Country Clownes , who in sacking of a neighbour City , take spoile of some Apothecaries shop well furnished with all receipts ; where , provoked with the sweetnesse of some junkets or spices , being the first that came to their hands , and imagining the rest to be of the same sort , they swallow , sup up , devoure , and gormandize all before them ; whereby presently some are taken with a strange disease , others with a Phrensie , most are bereft of life , none but strangely distempered , which occasions laughter through all the Army : For as Mans life , ( so History the Image of Mans life ) hath her commodities and discommodities : for the Government of Mans life consisteth onely in the use of his life .

In these Collections , as in a most cleare Mirror , may our young Gallant see into his errour● : he shall be of necessity forced to distaste himselfe , till he have relinquished his mid-night revels , surceased from his licentious meetings , and reduced his disconsorting Passions unto a calme and retired harbour ; here the publicke Magistrate shall be able to dispose of himselfe , and Office deputed unto him ; seeing matters worthy imitation , and Precepts worthy the Gravest and Ripest Consideration : one to instruct , others to Correct , and all to make perfect this whole module of Man .

☞ A review of those former Collections , applying them to our present occasions . Now , to take a review of those former Collections , and apply them to our present occasions ; Histories you have heard illustrated by divers proper Similitudes , to represent unto us the benefit thereof , both in respect of their delight , being modestly and discreetly seasoned ; as likewise , the occasional profit we may make therof ; in the passages of this life .

First then , he compares History to a Feast or Banket , where Dishes of all sorts are provided and orderly disposed ; implying , what Method is to be observed in the forme or digestion of an History . Nither , indeed , could any Viands bee more orderly disposed , nor decently dished , than hath beene observed by our Historiographers in the comely disposition of their Writings : So well hath the Divine providence ordered , that whatsoever properly conduced either to the knowledge or practise of this life , might to Posterity bee successively recommended .

For first , to descend to the Order and Continuance of times agreeable to the Ecclesiasticall History , we have at this day compendiously delivered unto us by the Workes of such famous Historiographers as have written the said History unto the posterity following . For Eusebius Pamphilus hath written from the birth of Christ unto the reigne of Constantinus Magnus : Socrates , Theodoret , and Zozomen have continued the times from Constantine , unto Theodosius Iunior , of which Emperours doings Evagrius hath somewhat discoursed . As for the Divine and Prophane Histories from the beginning of the World unto this day , they are orderly continued by painfull Writers . And first of all , Moses beganne to Write ( as is declared of them which compiled these things together ) of the things that were done from the Creation of the World , ●ven as he had truely learned of God in Mount Sina . Againe , other followed him ; shewed the ready way to our Religion , and committed to Writing the Acts done since his time . Moreover ( to descend as in a build●ng from Story to Story ) Iosephus wrote a very large Story , full of every kinde of good matter .

What f●bulous things soever have been reported to have beene done either by the Grecians or Barbarians of old time , who either were at Civill Warres within themselves , or waged battell with forraine enemies , or if any other thing can be remembred since the first mould of man was cast , all I say , besides sundry other Writers , is laid downe by Characes , Theopompus and Ephorus . As for the Roman History , comprizing in manner the Acts of the whole World , or if any other thing fell out by reason of their Civill discord or of quarrels risen betweene them and forraine Nations , it is exquisitely handled by Dionysius Halicarnassoe●● , who begunne his Story from the time of the People called Aborigenes , and continued it to the reigne of Pyrrhus King of Epirus . From thence unto the overthrow of Carthage , Polybius Megapolitanus hath excellently discoursed : all which Treatises though occasioned at divers and sundry times , Appianus with grave judgement hath contrived into Order , and compacted together ; adding thereunto of his owne , such things as were worthy of memory after their dayes unto his time . Diodorus Siculus wrote unto the time of Iulius Caesar , Dion Cassius likewise continued his Story unto the reigne of Antonius of Emesa . The like matter and order hath Herodian in manner followed , ending with the death of Maximus . Nicostratus also , a Rhetorician of Trapesus , beganne with the reigne of Philip the Successour of Gordianus , and wrote unto Odonatus of Palmyra , and the ignominious expedition of Valerianus against the Persians . Of the same thing intreated Dexippus at large , beginning with the reigne of the Macedonians , and ending with the Empire of Claudius , the Successor of Galienus . The said Author laid downe the Warres of the Carpians , and of other Barbarians in Hellada , Thracia and Ionia . Eusebius continued his Story from Octavianus the Emrours reigne , unto the time of Traian , Marcus , and the death of Carus . Arianus and Asinius Quadratus , wrote somewhat also of those times . The times following , reaching unto the reigne of Arcadius and Honorius the Emperors , Zosimus hath prosecuted : and of the things which happened since their times , Priscus Rhetor with others hath discoursed . All which Histories Eustathius of Epiphania hath briefly runne over , but very excellently , and devided the whole into two Volumes : The first containeth the Acts from the beginning of the World unto the destruction of Troy and the Pallace of Priamus : the second continueth the Story from that time unto the twelfth yeare of Anastasius the Emperours reigne . There beganne Procopius Rhetor , and ended with the dayes of Iustinian . What happened since unto these our dayes ( saith Evagrius Scolasticus , a serious Discourser and Discusser of Antiquities ) although Agathius Rhetor , and Iohn , both my fellow Citizen and Kinsman , have orderly written of , unto the time when Chosroes the younger both fled unto the Romans , and also was restored to his Kingdome by Mauricius , ( who went not therein faintly to worke , but couragiously as it became an Emperour ) and brought Chosroes into his Kingdome with great Treasure and Armed Souldiers ) yet have they not as yet published their Histories . Vid. Evagr. lib. 5. cap. 24.

Whence you may collect how orderly Histories have beene disposed , how successively continued , and with what coherence suited , as hath formerly beene observed . The chiefest of them , to reteine them better in memory ( and right usefull is such Historicall retention ) have beene ingeniously closed in this metricall Dimension .

Baronius , Iovius , Polydorus , Dodonaeus , Diodorus , Dorotheus & Eusebius , Ptolomaeus & Polybius .

Annexing to these : Caelius , Lelius , & Valerius , Cineas , Plinius , & Pererius .

Now , ( to tye our selves to that propriety of that Similitude used in our former Collections ; ) as in a Banket there be severall Dainties orderly dished , so be there appetites as diversly affected . What one distasteth , another relisheth ; what one relisheth , another distasteth . So it fareth with our Readers of History . Some are for Solid meates ; Serious Discourses , fit onely for strong Stomacks . Others are for meates of easie and light digestion . What may relish with the Palat , though it affords lesse nourishment , delights them best . Here a Comfit , there a Succot ; onely Kix-showes are for these lighter Guests .

And many shall we encounter withall of this sort : who , should you question them , what they have read in such an History , or what usefull Observance fit upon occasion , to be reduced to practise , they have gathered ; it were to bee doubted , if they returne not the same answer , which that youthfull Reader of Homers Workes rendred ( as one newly come out of an Euphuus golden slumber ) to one questioning him in the like manner . I find not a more pleasing Piece than Helen , nor displeasing than Thersites . Many such there are , who take a perfecter view of the Picture , than of the Substance . Poore mouldred earth , which sometimes ( if Histories enlarge not themselves too farre ) reteined a gracefull presence ; and wrought such strong impressions in strange eyes , as they ingaged both their owne and Countries liberty , to become possessors of such a beauty , are attractivest Objects of their eyes , the retentivest Subjects for their memories . These come for company , amongst the more knowing and deserving Guests , to partake of this Banket ; but they preferre such sweete Meates , which corrupt rather than nourish , before those which may not onely close the Appetite , but supply for nourishment .

Others , more seriously affected , hold to that which may most nourish . These be our judicious Readers , who collect what may profit them in private Discourse , or affaires Domestick or Publick .

To see an Eminent Personage beare himselfe to his ranke , we commend him ; we say , hee does not degenerate from those he came from : his d●sposition proves his descent ; his Education , the worthinesse of those that bred him . Observe this in your perusall of History ; when you finde a person nobly accomplish'd ; One , who values honour before any worldly tender : you collect , he was not obscurely bred ; his demerits pleade for him . No Herald can find for him a better Coate , than his owne personall worth . Now , reflect , Gentlemen , upon your selves . Doe you shew your selves abroad ? Are you invited to publicke Feasts or other re-greets of friends ? Tell me then , is not the Vessell to be knowne by the sound ? Our vaporous Gallant , whose intimate acquaintance is his Tinder-boxe and a Pipe , takes in snuffe a serious Discourse . His entire Study is reduced into a small Volume ; closing his Impresse with , Pulvis & umbra sumus .

And these Emblemes of his Mortality though he carry still about him , he as easily forgets what they signifie , as if they had no rel●ti●n to Mortality . Poor seered things ! Can you see these , and not pitty them ? Pieces made up in the shape of men , but so farre estranged from so Princely style , as , their feature excepted , they represent nothing lesse . Discourse , without that weake manuall instrument , their Pipe , they cannot : and when they utter what smoak gives them power to deliver : they reteine still that Embleme in their Dialect , which they evaporated from their Pipe , Smoake . The Judicious , I am sure , blush at this , and by a reflex of conceipt ( to use the Philosophers words ) are more ashamed of them , than they of themselves . For these conceive what a dishonour it were to them to shew themselves so childishly in a publicke Society .

It is true , all dispositions are not alike affected ; Seeing , as Plato saith , running Wits are delighted with Poëtry , as Aristotle writeth , e●●eminate persons are ravished with Musick , and as Socrates telleth us , Histories agree best with stayed heads . This induced Alfonsus to have alwaies in his bosome the Commentaries of Caesar : being also so much delighted with the History of Titus Livius , History to a discreet Eare the delightfulst harmony . that on a time he commanded certaine Musitians ( though very exact in their Art ) to depart , saying : He heard a more pleasant harmony out of Livius .

When you come then to this Musicall Feast ; where you shall heare pleasing Aires mixed with doleful Lachrymae's ; bring discretion along with you to rectifie your distempered appetites . Leave light notes to persons of light note . Stronger meates are prepared for your well-concocting Stomacks : such as may nourish you , ●nd beget those manly abilities , that may fit and accommodate you for the knowing'st presence .

It was the saying of a learned States-ma● in this Kingdome ( whose Workes expresse him a serious reader of Men as well as Bookes ) that he would have a gentleman rather superficially seene in all Learnings , than exact in One. And his reason is , that one who reteines the Elements of all Knowledges , though they be but in a weak measure , yet hee can deliver himselfe by way of Discourse in what Subject soever shall be ministred : whereas Hee , who hath confin'd himselfe to an exact sight of one Knowledge , and no more , being out of that Element , wherein hee is solely exquisite , he must veile to other mens Discourse , and keepe consort with Silence .

Now , to inable you for all Companies , no study may better accommodate , nay accomplish you , than the knowledge of History . So as Calisthenes said to Alexander , that he had rather carouse old Graines with Diogenes in his Dish , than new Grapes with Alexander in his Cup ; " For of all the Gods ( quoth he ) I love not Aesculapius : preferring conference with a Philosopher , before the society of a Scepter : and imbracing an abstemious course of moderation , before Festivall and Epicureall meetings . Even so should I in my choise of acquaintance , desire more to enjoy his company ; who hath beene usefully vers'd on the Theatre of History ; An exact Historian , a select Companion . than any other , whose affected dresse , or airy complement gives onely a sound to the Eare , but leaves no impression in the Conceipt .

In our election then of Company ( as I have many times observed ) let it be our care ever to make choise of such , Eum eligas in Socium , de quo tibi spes est aut meliorem reddendi , vel meliorem ab eo redeundi . of whom wee may bee confident either to better them , or be bettered by them . And to chuse him for our Master ( to use Seneca's counsell ) whom wee may more admire when we see him , than when we heare him .

For the habit of the mind is best discovered by the Action , Station and Disposition of the body . Eum eligas magistrum , quem magis admireris cum videas , quám cum audias . Seneca . So as , he deserves not the style of a Master , who seconds not that title in his outward gesture .

Thus you have heard this Similitude explained , in this resemblance of an History to a Feast : whereto if you come with tastes or appetites distempered ; those various dishes , be they never so delicious , can afford you small delight : begetting rather in you a loathing than a longing . So , in this incomparable Feast of History , where Dishes stored with all variety of discourse are served up , if you come with distempered judgements , not distinguishing what is wholesome from what is noysome , that which might have redounded to your infinite profit , by inversion of the right use , returnes to your detriment . Great preparation than is to be had in the solemnizing of so Princely a Banket .

Secondly , hee compares it to a Field . Where we may preambulate and solace our selves after more serious studies . Neither shall you finde more variety of flowers in the Field ; than you may of excellent instructions , powerfull examples , with other perswasive Motives in our Histories . You shall finde Princes by taking their levell from these directions , entertaining a facility of accesse ,

Facilitas in accessu , benignitas in aspectu , affabilitas in affatu .

Optimi sunt socij , qui seriò faceti .

Quid audisti , quo magis profuisti ?

In quo mèlior discessisti , quam cum so cios petijsti ?

a benignity in Count●nance , an affability in discourse . Others , though their Education had highly enabled them , their assiduate conference with learned Philosophers improved them : yet this their improvement extended but onely to knowledge : They were contemplatively Proficients , but practically Deficients . The Wolfe would not change his heart , though he had chang'd his haire .

Againe , as in a Field , you shall encounter with many kindes of fruites , which , howsoever they appeare delightfull to the eye , are dis-relishing to the taste . So shall you in those spacious flourishing borders of History ; observe some Eminent Persons , whose faire Semblances promise nothing more than the pract●se of every Vertue : Their Countenance cheerefull , their Discourse delightfull , their Service to their Countrey seemingly faithfull ; yet shall you finde them true Tiberians , glorying in nothing so much as cunningly and covertly cloathing their purposes with faire pretences , going invisible , and deluding their professed'st friends expectations with a seeming good . Others , like low-growing Plants , or earth-kissing Violets , though to the Eye of the World , they seeme contemptible ; yet try them , and you shall finde them sweet and comfortable Consorts ; though sleightly observed , deservingly approved ,

You shall find how those men , who , as Cosmo saith , carry their heart in their mouth , are more to bee pittied than feared . But contrarywise , those who carry their mouth in their heart , more to be feared than pittied . You shall heare Scipio described by Cicero to bee the most cunning Searcher of Mens Minds , and Sylla by Salust . Thus may you store your selves with flowers and fruits of all sorts in this Poly-carpian Field of History . And feele such fresh wholesome aire to cheere you , as no distemper ( unlesse your owne dispositions feede it ) can possibly surprize you .

Thirdly , He compares some of our Historians to Builders ; interposing their owne particular judgements , and imping their owne conceipts , by which they many times divert the Scope of their History . Teaching the Generall of whom they write , what he should doe : neglecting in the meane time his owne Office , of recording what was done . And this errour falls many times upon a presuming Reader , as well as the originall Author . For many of our Criticks , who hold Minerva's Anvill to bee in their Braine , cannot read a Line without a Censure : and these for most part delight in nothing more than catching and carping at an errour . Ad reprehendenda al●ena facta atque dicta ardet omnis animus . Salust . This confirmes Salusts Position : To reprehend others Actions and Speeches each mans mind is strongly affected .

But if you meane to build wisely upon these Stories , you must leave behinde you all prejudicate conceipts . Read Actions as they were done ; imitate whatsoever you finde commendably done : Eschew whatsoever you finde ignominiously done . Examples are usefull for you in both kindes : These to deterre ; those to allure .

Fourthly , he compares these glozing-sugred Historians to Cookes ; who ( for the most part ) use to preferre their Masters Palat before his profit . Such as these delude their Guests with guilded Plates , and indented Pastes . But guilded meates will never allay hunger . Profit and pleasure mixt together make the best musicke . The smell of Meat can no more feed the belly ; than the sound of money fill the Purse . There be some wholesome things indeed ( saith that sinnowy Seneca ) which without either touch or taste , Sen. de Tranq. anim . profit much with their smell . But by these , the Morall meant no materiall Flowers : Those internall graces or beauties of the mind , which had received sweetnesse from Philosophicall instructions , were those sweete fragrant Odours he meant by . But to presse this Comparison a little farther : Our Historians should not be such Cookes , as onely to intend a pleasing of the Sense . There is more in History , than delighting a youthfull appetite . He then that desires to have his Workes live to posterity ; or in after Ages to reteine his Memory ; must disesteeme these pleasing humours of complying either with Time , or with any One ; high in favour with Time . It was the Poëts resolution : As in my choyse of meates , so in my Booke , — Coenae sunt fercula nostrae , Mallem Convivis quám placuisse Cocis . I 'd rather please my Guests , than please my Cooke .

He Writes the best , who humours least . Nor can he expresse him●elfe better , than in composing his Style to the state of that Subject whereof he Writes : Aiming more at publick profit , than any mans private respect or favour : for Partiality , of all others , layes the greatest aspersion upon an Historicall Labour .

Fiftly , Hee compares the judgement of an Historian , when it becomes corrupted , to Wine ; ( which of it selfe neat and generous ) taketh either some waft or unsavoury taste from the Caske , or is corrupted by some other accident . Mixtures of Histories may bee not improperly resembled to our mixtures of Wines . They make them lose their flavour and vi●●our . Unlesse they be so discreetly mixed , ●hat the strength of the History be not weakned ; nor those principall passages whereof he takes occasion to treate , disordered or omitted . Wine muddy or troubled we cannot endure ; it must be fined and cleared from the Lees. And so must History . Purged and refined it should be from all Lees ; or incredible Lies . From all impertinences , uselesse digressions , artlesse independencies . Otherwise it will taste flat ; and beget a distaste to any discerning judgement .

Lastly , He compares unadvised Read●rs of History to Countrey Clownes , who in the spoyle of a City , breake into some Apothecaries shoppe , well furnished with all receipts : but not distinguishing what is Soveraigne from what is Poyson ; offering to their Sense for for good whatsoever seemes pleasing : They fall into Phrensies , Plurisies , and all Distempers . Observe this Gentlemen , and make use of it . The Deare , if hee be wounded , can flye to Ditany , to cure him ; The ●eare when he feeles himselfe sicke , Ambros . in Ex●m . seekes for Emmets , and eates them , and these recover him . The Bee , if he be distemper'd , hyes him to Balme mint , and that cheeres him .

Is it so , that these irrationall Creatures know how to cure their griefes ; and will you neglect what may cheere your minds ? You may finde in History , as in a Confectionary , soveraigne Receipts , choice Electuaries to cure all maladies . Whatsoever is defective in you , may be heere supplyed ; and whatsoever is in some small measure perfected , may be more fully accomplished .

Nothing , whether it conduce to Discourse or Action , Warre or Peace , Arts or Armes , but may by Historicall Helpes bee highly advanced .

The Philosophers Axiome is : Omne quod non ens est , malum est . And worse then no being ( have they ) who measure out their lives without a due proportion drawne from others , and applied to themselves . Instruction the light of understanding . Instruction is the light of Being , the directresse of Living , and the best Schoole-mistresse that disciplines us dying : States publicke are managed by her , Offices private administred by her , and the wisest men have desired to possesse her . No Beauty more permanent , Jemme more eminent , or Treasure more Excellent ; it beautifies it selfe ; and no Phidias could ever portray any picture so well as it portrayes it selfe . And what instruction better then that which comes from History , where the true Image of our life is delineated , Vertue in her best colours expressed , and Vice ( without either shadow or pretence ) layd open and naked ? The Prodigall reads , Histories , mirrors for all States . and sees himselfe represented in another Person ; he sees the miserable end of others , which ( unlesse he will fall with open eyes ) must needs caution himselfe : he sees haire-brain'd courses , leave both Patrimony and reputation behind them : Penelopees Woers , ever woing , never winning . The miserable wretch , that pincheth himselfe to enrich his unthankfull Posterity , may see the fruit of gathering Perdition to himselfe , and oft-times occasion of ruine and speedy desolation to his surfeiting Heire . Here the brave Souldier sees his owne fame ; Acts duly and fully expressed : not a famous Exploit ( deserving memory ) must be silenced , but the very name of the Agent , ( to excite others the more ) must be Recorded . Here the effeminate Milke-sop , that fights best under his Ladies flagge , first man that will come to a lascivious Banket , but last that will come to a pitched field : Hee ( I say ) must shew himselfe , Histories must not partiali●e . though smally to his credit : yea , Alcybiades ( though otherwise well deserving of his Country ) must be set out in his ignominious death ; aswell as his memorable life ; giving up the Ghost in the lappe of his Concubine Tymandra .

☞ He defined History to life , though confined to a short line , who call'd it : A Theatre of noble Actions , begetting in the Spectators a laudable Envy , a glorious Emulation .

Nor shall we find in the whole passage of our life , History the best Herald for deblazoning vertue or vice . so true a Herald for deblazoning Vertue or Vice , as it is . We say , Letters cannot blush : and though many unbeseeming Act be by her presented , with the quality of the Person by whom it was acted : yet like a faithfull undaun●ed Record , it recommends with a composed and censorious countenance , how it was done and by whom , without glozing with Person or Time . Such Registers cannot perish : whereas others , who are wonne by Greatnesse , or corrupted with base Lucre , ( of all others the basest ) or out of private discontent ( an Errour too commonly taking amongst many Historians ) asperse dishonour on any Person or State ( of all others the hatefullest ) cannot promise any perpetuity , because they faile in their foundation , being not grounded on Principles of Verity . Oh what a gracefull beauty bestowes our Historian on Vertue , when expressed in any Eminent Person ! How it wooes Followers , and wins them to be Imitators of such goodnesse ! The Members cannot be distemper'd , when the Head is healthfull . When the Prince turnes Philosopher , the whole Court becomes an Academy .

History then , as it may be properly stiled , The Noble-mans Lecture : So their Actions , Lectures to the inferiour . Nothing commendable in the great , which brings not with it an Additament , being cloathed with greatnesse . For great Persons , be their lifes remarkable eyther for some eminent Vertues , or egregious Vices , they become presidents to their shadowes .

Three especiall commendable qualities have bin thought ever fitting Consorts to accompany Persons of quality ; Three especiall qualities suiting well with the condition of any Eminent Person . but these have bin ever observed most estranged from their society . 1. Patience in suffering Adversity : 2. Moderation in bearing Prosperity : 3. Humility in attempring Soveraignty .

That wise Chylo , when his brother took it distastfully , that he himselfe should not be made Ephorus , when Chylo was ; made him this answere to allay his Choller : Content your selfe Brother , I know how to suffer injuries , so do not you . Implying , that none was fit for place of Authority , but could patiently endure affronts , or suffer an injury . This it was which so truly recorded Camillus name in the Annals of Honour : whom neither his Dictatorship could too much raise , nor his exile from his Country , too much deject .

This , those praise-worthy Romanes bravely shewed in their constant and unamated resolution after their disaster at Cannae ( as hath beene observed ) where at such time as hearing of nothing but utter ruine and desolation ringing in every place , they did nothing unworthy themselves : ☜ deserving no lesse honour in bearing their losse , then their enemies in obtaining the prize . But for one president of patient-suffering in this kind ; we shall meet with many opposite examples , inclining to a contrary bent . Yea such , who had bin sufficiently schooled in Philosophy , and had read what weake trust was to be reposed in prosperity . Amongst these , you shall find some overcome with grief● upon innovation of government , to lay violent hands upon themselves . Poniards and poysons their familiar receipts to cure all discontents . These could not endure to see the face of a State altered , their Consull-authority dis-valued ; their antient Lawes dis-annulled ; but they must witnesse their griefe with a fatall stabbe ; though such a desperate act conferre no benefit to the State .

No lesse rare have our Historians held Moderation in bearing Prosperity , with persons of Command and Soveraignty .

Alexander in the height of his successe , was so farre transported with the suppositious title of a Deity , as he began to forget Mortality : yet one wound received can make him retract that Errour ; and confesse himselfe a mortal man , though the worlds Commander . What would he have sayd , if he had seene himselfe remaine thirty dayes without buriall ; but Diogenes ( poore contemptible Diogenes ) solemnized with a glorious Buriall . Aelian . lib. ●2 . Laërt . in vit. Di●g .

How farre Pyrrhus , the victorious Caesar , experienst Hannibal , imperious , but afterwards calamitous Antiochus , Majestick Mithridates , Martiall Miltiades fell short of this Moderation , their owne actions ( deblazoned to life by our Historicall Heralds ) will sufficiently demonstrate .

These wanted Simonides to sing unto them , as he did sometimes to Pausanias ; or as that Page every morning did to Philip of Macedon : ☜ Respice post te ; hominem memento te . Tertul . Apol. c. 33. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Prima sumus obliti , post rema non intelleximus , quia prima non meminimus . " Philip remember that thou art a Man . Or the Spartans speech to the Samnites : We have forgot our beginning , we have not understood our ending , because we have not remembred our beginning .

Whereas in others we shall finde an absolute Moderation in the height of their Prosperity ; and such a Princely commaund of themselves , as their very minds declared them worthy of nothing lesse then Soveraignty .

This appeared in the Moderation of noble Affrican , mild Marcellus , strict Severus ; who with an easie contempt slighted the honour they enjoyed , and could Philosophically digest the losse of fortunes , if they perished : whence we cloze , Honour can be no attractive Lure , to the composed spirit of a true Heröick Lover .

Lastly , with what a Princely beauty Divine Humility shewes herselfe in the bosome of Nobility , may appeare in that modest reply of that victorious Godfrey , to such , as after his glorious Conquest of Hiërusalem , to the honour of Christendome , offer'd to set a Crowne of gold upon his head , but he refused it , saying , God forbid that the Servants head should be with Gold crowned , where his Masters head was with Thornes pierced .

Now , the rarity of this Vertue ( or rather the repository of all vertues ) is recommended to us by Venerable Bede in this memorable story : Aidan a religious Bishoppe , weeping for King Osuinus , and demaunded by the Kings Chaplaine why he wept ? I know , sayd he , that the King shall not live long : for never before this time have I seene an humble King . Which hapned accordingly , for he was cruelly murdred by Oswin . Howsoever , if in any of these , such Personages as the Historian makes mention of , fal short , thr●ugh corruption of discipline , he should not be sparing in his modest discovery , so it import the subject of his History : where it is expected all things should be delivered impartially .

Absolute Histories will not admit of the least concealement ; but representing every Act , Person , and Event , use to illustrate what is worth insisting upon , omitting ( or at least cursorily passing over ) more fruitlesse Subjects : and how delightfull may it seeme to every judicious man , when in reading of ancient Records , he conferres the Stratagems of Warre then used , with the present observance of this Time : sees ( and seeing ) notes the sundry dispositions of men , how noble in themselves , and how generally esteemed invincible , by a sudden conversion laid low , beneath the stirrop of Fortune , and made a spectacle of Fate ! Then to observe States , better governed in their decline than in their height ; and farre more able in power , when in the eye of the World least powerfull . The Romans , when they had attained the very height of Felicity , that all Governments were their Tributaries , then they began to stoop most under their burden ; and pressed with their owne grandeure , seemed to imitate the Phoenix , who weary of her selfe , desired to have her ashes renewed , but her selfe extinguished . Rome in her decay , compared to the Phoenix . What ambitious Tyrants proud of their owne strength , and secure of Divine power , are layd flat in the height of their expectancies : so as where they planted the foundation of their hopes , there they were most defeated ; to expresse the providence , & all-working Majesty of God , who disposeth of all governments , A Christian consideration of the power and Maiesty of God . pulling down the tyrannicall Empires , and setting wise and discreet Princes in their place ! And no motive ( of prophane writings ) more effectuall then Histories , to draw us to a consideration of our selves , and the Majesty of God , whose excellency beautifies this Universe , teaching us to admire , and ( in our admiration ) to tremble and feare , having recourse to the incomprehensible judgments , and secret counsels of the Almighty .

Every private Family may draine hence un●peakable profit , Profit derived from Histories to private Families . observing the divers casualties , & mutabilities subject to every one that is interessed especially in matters of state ; preferring their own private and free Life , before popular admiration , so intangled with continuall incertainties . Here may the poore Husbandman , at his leasure , receive tidings from Forraigne Courts : here he may learne what difference there is betwixt the Coulter and the Scepter , the Share and the Shield . Here may the Marchants wife pitty her poore husband , Merces domestica in conjugio , longinqua in navigio sita est . tossed with so many adverse winds , invironed with so sundry dangers , and exposed to so miserable adventures ; she cannot chuse but play true at home , that hath a husband so faithfull abroad , who endangers himselfe to make her secure : why should any come into his hazard , that like a Tenis-ball casts himselfe into every hazard ? Here the wife of the valiant Souldier may see what difficulties her distressed husband is exposed unto , heat , cold , watching , hunger , thirst , all inconveniences , to propagate the glory of his Country , & purchase himselfe a name eternally memorable . His poor family hath reason to powre out their prayers for his deliverance , and thankfully ascribe all glory to the power of Heaven for his safe returne . To be briefe , what particular estate not engaged to Relations of this nature ? The description of a Mariners danger . The Mariner seeth his dangers ; and seeing them , observeth the influence of the Stars , and Planets , the Orion and the Pleiades ; yet in all these observances , he gathers there is a Power above , whom the Sea and winds obey 〈…〉 to him therefore , as ( the expertest Pilote ) he flies for succour , finding no harbor more serure , no repose more safe . The Souldiers discipline by Histories . The Souldier sees into the Discipline of Armes ; & ( by History ) apprehends how a smal handfull of Men have oft-times conquered an Army , to the judgment of Man invincible : he sees into it , and admires the wonderfull power of God , who worketh oft-times directly against all meanes , to teach us thus much : that his power is not limited to meanes ; but can effect ( without the least instruments ) what in his sacred Synode he hath ordained . Here the Marchant fees into the riches of the whole Earth , how it pleaseth God to subject all things to the service of Man , to the end Man might only reserve himselfe for the service of God : he observes the exceeding favours of Heaven shewne upon Earth , and he collects hence , that those joyes , : whose comforts and exceeding treasures which he keepeth for the Elect in Heaven , must needs be great above all comparison . Si tanta solatia in die lachrymarum , Aug. Soliloq. cap : xxi . quanta conferet in die nuptiarum ? These considerations must of necessity move him to play the good Marchant , who finding one Jem of price , will sell all and buy it .

Yet see the misery of Man ! ☜ A Motive to thankfulnesse , derived from a Commemoration of mans irreparable misery , without Gods ineffable mercy . That he who hath received all things from that insiccate Fountaine of Divine Bounty , should preferre the fruits of Misery , before the promises of Gods Mercy !

Those erring Philosophers , when they conceived those sweet-relishing comforts they enjoyed by the Ministry of the foure Elements , they could not ( poore deluded Soules ! ) ascribe lesse than the Title of a Deity to every distinct Element . Zeno makes Fire ; Zenophanes Earth ; Foure severall Philosophers ascribed distinct Deities to the foure Elements . Anaximenes Ayre ; Hippeas Water , to be their Gods . Yet , when all these Elements joyne in one voyce and vote , crying , Wee are not your Gods , seeke him above us : H●e is your God , Hee is our God who made both you and us ; We become lesse thankfull to our true God , than they to their false Gods .

A Motive , then , to Thankfulnesse , might be worthily hence derived from a Commemoratioon of Mans irreparable Misery , without Gods ineffable Mercy .

Glorious is the Image hee h'as imprinted in him ; various and beauteous be those graces hee h'as bestowed on him ; a more precious prize is reserved for him : and are not all these of power to wooe and winne him ? Againe , should he reflect upon himselfe , and consider how by sinfull declining , he is dayly descending to a miserable condition , from which , without Gods great mercy there is no redemption : he would turne , no doubt all Niobe : and with pious teares , holy vowes , religious purposes , vertuous actions , labour his freedome from captivity , to re-possesse him of his primitave liberty . Histories are plenteous in examples , relating the miseries of Eminent States ; and how soone those , who to the eye of the World , appeared most happy ; closed so cheerefull a Day with an Evening Summons of irreparable misery . And the greatest ground of their unhappinesse , tooke life generally from their owne selfe-confidence . It was the Saying of that Noble Themistocles : " I had perished , had I not perished . And it is the generall condition of all Man-kinde : Men are never farther from happinesse , than when they seeme to be in most happinesse . For what is this Theatre of Tragick encounters , Where we act this calamitous Sceane of our life , but ever hung about with mourning ? Troïlus was held more happy than Primus , because hee dyed younger , and therefore his teares fewer than Priamus . Mithridates had beene more happy , if he had dyed sooner before he saw his misery . Darius , while victorious , might have dyed gloriously ; a few longer dayes eclyp●'d his glory . Hee , who sometimes thirsted after Soveraignty , and failed in that which he most sought , when in his flight he drunke muddy and stinking water , said ; That he never drunke a sweeter draught .

Contraries by opposition receive best illustration . Let us eye the condition of those States which many yeares have preceeded us , and collect our owne happinesse by their disquiets . Sweet is Warre to them that have not tryde it . But such as rightly weigh it , with the inconveniences that accompany it , will render all thanks to that Prince of Peace , by whose blessing they enjoy it .

These , by dayly experience can distinguish of the Utilities betwixt Peace and Warre . They observe , how in Peace , Sonnes burie their Fathers : but in Warre , Fathers burie their Sonnes : how in Peace , the sick are healed : but in Warre , the whole are wounded . Where it is doubtfull , whether the Agent or Patient be more miserable . It is an excellent Rule , which is commended to us , Bellum nec timendum , nce provocandum . Plin. Panegyr . ●raj●●● . in the use of Warre : Neither to provoke taking up of Armes , nor to lay them downe upon just occasion offered . But how happy we ; when in this our Inclosed Garden , our owne Olive may feed us , our owne Vine cheere us , our owne Figge-tree shadow us ! This , other Neighbour-States are farre from injoying ; yea , such , as so nearely bound us , that , " Exiguâ prohibentur aquâ — A smal cut divides us , but a great difference of condition betwixt us . This , in the remembrance of others unhappines , shold induce us to thankfulnes .

God hath in store Judgement as well as Mercy ; of the first Cuppe others , and those our Neighbours , have deepely tasted , of the latter , our Cuppes have beene plenteously sweetned .

God hath powred downe the Viols of his Wrath upon other Nations , in sending out those three fearefull Messengers , and in shooting those three fatall Arrowes ; Famine , Sword and Pestilence ; We onely who deserve least , have shared in the last , and have for a season mourned , yet are not wee converted : our griefe being for most part rather for decrease of our Trade , or Traffick , or the decay of our Worldly estate in some measure , than hearty sorrow for incurring Gods displeasure .

The onely usefull way for us in this Review of Gods Mercies to us , and his Judgements upon others , is to retreeve our thoughts from earth ; to fixe our affections where we have stored our divinest Treasures . Tunc verâ requie ●or afficitur , quando in Coelestibus unicè figitur . And as Heaven h 'as shut her windowes of Judgements to us , and hath opened them upon others : And h 'as opened the windowes of his Mercy to us , which hee ha's shut from others : let it be our especiall care to ramme up our windowes , I meane our outward Senses , that Death enter not in by them ; and Tarpeia-like , Intrâ cancellos tennere Sensus , Comprimant saeuos ut amoris aestus , integrae mentis repetendo quaestus Limine pacis . betray our chiefest Cittadell unto them .

The Poët in the person of some Vertuous Ones , expressed neatly the Soveraigne effect of this receipt in these Words : Within their Lodges they their eyes restrained , That Lures of light love might be still refrained , Whence the rich prizes of pure minds they gained With peace adorned .

Thus if our affections were erected , our actions directed , and our waies corrected , we should soone ( to use Seneca's words ) Gather our Vessels in the Haven safely , and after a long perillous voyage , arrive with Glory .

Every private houshold is a little Kingdome within it selfe , and needes instructions ( though not so consequently serious ) as the greatest Palace , and royallest Empire : order must be observed in the one , as well as in the other ; a Principality in both , and a subjection to both . What fitter for the housholder to traine his children , servants , and attendants in ( next Diuine Writ ) than the reading of profitable Stories , such as excite to Vertue , and stirre up their mindes to the undertaking of something worthy a resolved spirit ? I know the base minded Groome hearing the prosperous successe of Lucius Quintius , All Arts may be reduced to noble attempts and condigne fortunes by their owne professions . who was chosen one of the Patricij from his Plow stilt , and afterwards by his valour and magnanimity , reserveth the name to this day , of Triumphalis Agricola : a poore Husband-man sitting in his Chaire of Triumph , will desire by all meanes to imitate so notable a president ; scorning to rippe up the bosome of the earth , when he may purchase himselfe more fame by the deblazing his honour upon earth . The home-spunne Shepheard , hearing the renowned Acts of Romulus , fed and brought up among Shepheards : and of Cirus , who bare himselfe a Prince among Shepheards , will cast away Scrippe and Sheepe-crooke , and behave himselfe a worthy successour in their profession . The Gardiner hath an Emperour of his profession , to imitate , and an honest one too , as his name implyes , to wit , Probus . The Wood-man or Forrester , a Pompilius . The Diviner , a Zoroastres : and the Philosopher , an Antonius . But many have we , that we may better imitate than Princes : as their state was eminent , so were their natures depraved . Royal Errors . We shall read that many of them were as good Law-breakers , as Law-makers ; and the greatest Vices appeared least , ( though most approved ) in greatest men . They had ever vertuous pretences to shadow vice : sin became cloathed in Tissue . We shall see impunity of offences to be a great supportresse of them , presuming still on the Kings mercy , and squaring their course to his Discipline : for Subjects love to imitate their Prince , either in Vice or Vertue : but more are there inclined to the worst than the best ; making this conclusion , through long and inveterate custome of sinne ; which Medaea in that cunning and quaint Discourse seemed to compasse , with this subtile preparation , laying this grand-hold of proceeding : Fructus est scelerum , nullum tibi scelus putare : A position of Machiavel : Wherein every judicious Reader may gather the admirable and inscrutable wisedome of God , Machiavels Position . frustrating their devices , annihilating their purposes , never bringing their designes to effect : yea , which is more worthy our observation , making there the most fooles , where they thought themselves to be most wise . For their policies either in governing , or establishing Empires ; How farre short have their purposes ever come to effect : Examples I could produce many of this nature , as well Divine as Morall .

It is a safe , because a Divine Conclusion ; ☜ No Estate secure without the protection of a Supreme Power . Take a Survey of all conditions , and you shall finde Frailty the Foundation they stand on . Cares and Feares , Shadows they cannot fly from . No Guard so strong , as to secure from Feare a Princes state : yea , he shall finde his very Kingdome to be his Prison while he is in it , Omne regnum suo principi carcer est , si ●●cat , alienum . and to be anothers when he is removed from it . Yea , he shall finde nothing to be more profitable for a King , than sometimes not to play the King . Yea , were there no Enemies to invade him ; No disloyall hearts to undermine him , yet would he encounter with jealous and suspicious feares within himselfe to surprise him . This Potion wrought strongly with Dionysius , that Tyrant of Syracuse , who ( as upon the like occasion hath beene formerly observed ) became so suspicious , as hee would not trust his Barber to shave him , ☞ causing his Daughters to supply the Office of Barbers . Poore Majesty ! What pleasure could this Tyrant take in having a Kingdome ; when his Crowne could not sit more close to his head , than those individuall Cares to a Crowne clung neare to his heart ? This caused Seleuchus so accustomably to say , That if a Man knew with what Cares a Diadem was clogged ; how very few ●oures he were from disquiets freed ; hee w●uld not take it up , though it lay in the street .

Yea , should neither Enmity assaile him , nor infirmity inv●de him , nor cares seaze on him , nor feares surprize him ; yet would he find within him , though he had no assailants without him , that would daily amate him , nightly awake him . And now , when he h'as summ'd up all his cares ; and summon'd all his feares ; he finds all his seeming glory , that mighty masse of Majesty , confined to a very straite period .

Though Zerxes march along with a populous Army , drinking dry whole Rivers as they goe . Though Alexander intend to reduce Mount Athos to the proportion of a Man ; a small Mole-hill in comparison of a Mountaine will serve to cover him . It is not in the power of a Monarchy to plead her prerogative against Mortality .

Let Aegistus shrowd himselfe with shame under Clitemnistra's shelter ; Let Achylles expose himselfe with glory to all danger ; an inevitable fate attends on both : Though Fame solemnize the Funerall of the one ; but Infamy the obits of the other .

Continent Cornelia aswell as Sensuall Scriboni ; vertuous Lelia aswell as vicious Semphronia ; modest Flavia aswell as wanton Faustina ; constant Octavia aswell as incontinent Messalina must share stakes equally with Fate : only they differ in the estimate of Fame : Inaequales nascimur , aequales morimur . Unequall in Birth , equall in De●th . An equality of condition exacts an equall necessity of our dissolution . Neither be the Low wholy more secure then the High ; which is no lesse sententiously than truely verifide : Winds upon Cedars with most fury blow , Whose fall must ruine those that grow below .

O how dearely have many of our shady Followers of Greatnesse bought this Experiment ! when their dependence upon such as were addicted to Ambition , brought them along with their unhappy Masters , to a speedy ruine . No Estate then can be secured : so long as we are Pilgrims , we must be inclosed with perils . For as Simple men are catched by others , so are Polititians catcht commonly by themselves .

For tell me , thou Leprous Timist , who infectest the Aire by which thou breathest , makest the Earth barraine whereon thou treadest , makest every creature thy enemy which thou enjoyest ; what will it availe thee to be a profest Neuter , to make Religion a politick end , to be ever resolving , and never resolved ; ever doubtfull , and never setled ; to be a Toppe which alwayes runnes round ; or a Wheele ever holding a circular Motion without progression ? To have thy Religion ebbing and flowing ; thy Profession like the Soule of Hermotimus in Plutarch , Plutarch . de Socratis Genio . Hesych . de vitâ Philosophorum . Liv. Dec. 1. lib. 1 and of Epemenides in Hesychius , comming and going : little caring whether Religion sinke or swimme , whether thy Profession stand or fall ; or like to Metius Suffetius in Livie , who would strike or speake for neither side , untill one side goe downe , and then joyne to that which is best for Commodity ?

What will this availe thee , thou temporizing changeling ! Thou canst not shrowde thy selfe , nor actions from his eyes , who seeth all things , alwayes , at once . He , who h'as not God pleased , shal never escape his fury unappeased . There was never since the beginning of the world so cautious a Delinquent , that could find an Appeale from Gods judgment .

Let the Usurous wretch scrape never so carefully ; contract never so cautelously ; hoord up never so plentuously ; and gull the world never so subtilely : all this will not secure him ; he h'as Serjeants within him to attach him ; besides his prodigall child , whose forlorne hopes daily and nightly startle him .

Gnipho the Usurer ( as Lucian faigneth ) lyeth in Hel lamenting his miserable estate , that one R●dochares an incestuous prodigall did on earth consume his goods wastfully , which he with care and unjust meanes had scrap'd and rack'd together .

This Fiction begets a representave action : we shall find few scraping Gnipho's , but they ever leave behind them their scattring Rodochares . Be it every mans care so to regulate his providence : that his fortunes may appeare to be the Revenues of a good Conscience : and his Seed succeed in the possession of their inheritance . In the enjoyment of which happinesse , let none of us labour of such an Atrophie , as to want an healthful and thankfull digestion of Gods gracious benefits .

The Highest Prince then , be he never so strongly guarded ; nor with forraigne Allyes powerfully friended ; nor with Treasures , warres sinnews , enriched ; nor with Ammunition furnished ; cannot promise himselfe to be secure , without the protection and assistance of a Supreame power .

How safe thought Cirus himselfe established in his new Translated Monarchy ? when behold his security ends as miserably , as his beginnings had a flourish of seeming happinesse : Unfortunate he was for to be deprived of his hoped-for Greatnesse , by a Sexe so weakly effeminate : Soucing that Head ( which was Head to a powerfull government ) in a Tunnell of blood , with this bitter invection : Satia te sanguine quem diu sitijsti , Iust. 1. lib. cujusque insatiabilis semper fuisti .

The like of his successor Cambyses , who hoping to plant himselfe in a royall Throne by blood , miserably ended his owne life by his owne blood . Ipse enim gladio spo●te suâ evaginato , in femore graviter vulneratus , occubuit . ib. An excellent and notable example of a sacrilegious and blood-thirsty Prince , who sought to establish himselfe by indirect meanes ▪ ( to wit ) by the murther of his owne Naturall Brother Mergis . I insist longer upon examples , because I have oft-times found that Sentence of Demosthenes to bee most true : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Examples best motives to piëty , confirmed by the Orator Demosthenes .

These examples being best motives unto Piety , and , indeed , more forcible , in that we have two occasions in exemplary Presidents of imitation ; the one to caution us not to doe this or that , least we fall into the like punishment , being attended on by the like meanes : The other ( like a sweet lenitive ) inducing us by reasons drawne from profit , which wee conceive may redound a-any way by the like examples ; which the Poët seemes to illustrate when he saith : Exemplo alterius qui sapit , ille sapit .

The greatest benefit in private , I imagine to be drawne likewise , from the right and exact use of History : which particular good I have ranked in the second place , and that is this : In private to behold the sundry dispositions of Princes and People : Reasons whereof cannot be given , but onely from the temperature of the Region wherein they live : Which reasons drawne from conjecturall grounds , are oftentimes deceived in themselves ; as in disposing or ordering of States to the square of wisedome .

This benefit I have gathered , and placed in the Rereward : Last Observances ( I know ) take greatest Impression , and none more needfull than this : when wee shall have commerce with any people , than to call to mind their disposition , lest wee incurre a greater mischiefe through our ignorance . Strangely jealous are some Nations , they have Actaeons Eyes , perchance his Eares : Wee must shew our selves modestly bashfull toward such ; every lascivious looke is as good as a Comment for such men , taking our Eye to be the Directresse of our Heart : Others more prodigall of their Wives reputation , seeme respectlesse of their shame , or the hostage of honour , so they may increase their Estate , and raise their Fortunes out of Honours ruines . Other people we know to be of a surly , proud , and intractable nature , living more by their owne will ( making it their Law ) than the square of Reason . Others seemingly humble , more dangerous farre than the other ; under pretences religiously honest , masking treacherous and disloyall projects : Never lesse your Friend , than when seeming most so : Noli obscurare faciem , qualis es , talis appare . Basilius . He hath a fleering looke , smooth face , sleeke tongue ; can observe times , and for private advantage ( like a second Sinon ) unbosome himselfe unto you : There be no windows in his heart , therefore beleeve him not ; if by the transparancy of thy eye thou couldst see into that rotten Sepulchre of his sugred-poisoned heart , thou wouldst admire so faire and beautifull an out-side , to have so loathsome and hideous an in-side : Better charactred thou canst not have him than by History , it is the best Image of thy Life , and can best set out in their owne native colours such deformed Images .

☞ No Image so neare to Life , as the History of mans Life . Nor is there any Modell drawne so neare to life , as History is to the Image of Mans life . There is no affection so strongly predominant in any person now living ; which he may not find represented in lively colours , in the lifes and actions of others . And no doubt , but this affinity or resemblance of manners begot in Pithagoras that opinion of his Metempsychosis or transmigration of Soules : for so nearely ●ound he the disposition of One resembling an Other ; as he verily thought the Soule of that person endewed with such affections , passed into an others body : for otherwise they could not poss●bly so nearely agree in the temper or quality of their humours .

And should man take a due pervsall of himselfe ; what he is naturally most affected too ; what passion most rageth or raigneth in him ; what hopes and feares accompany him ; upon what grounds those receive life in him . Againe ; what receipts he finds most Soveraigne to attemper those Motions in him : no doubt , but he shall upon reading of History , meete with some One or Other , so nearely resembling him , and inwardly like him ; as he cannot chuse but hugge the Story for the Statue sake . Seeing himselfe so nearely moulded , as himselfe cannot be more like himselfe , then he finds his mentall part resembled . So as , he might well avouch , upon the presentment of an other so like himselfe : Vel meipsum nescio , vel in alio meipsum Sentio : I eyther know not my selfe , or in another I see my selfe .

Might we assume that freedome which Plutarch enjoyed , in a Paralell of preceeding with succeeding times ; the persons and actions present with those that went before us ; we should returne as neare a resemblance in ours , as ever he did in the Symbolizing of his Princes .

Themistocles found Miltiades spirit in himselfe . Such like noble minded Persons should we finde in ours . Others , like Palinurus , or a love-sicke Paris , more apt to encounter with love , then to ingage themselves in any other List . And neare resemblances might we cull out aswell for these as those : both for Campe Honour and a Carpet Lover . Which might prove a singular motive to excite Valour , even in those , whose remisser spirits stood before so rebaited , as they might take a perfect draught of their owne Physnomies by that white-liver'd Captaine , who looking himselfe in a Glasse when he was angry , was affrighted with his owne countenance . Whereas , contrariwise , true Heröick Spirits , who never tooke acquaintance of one unmanly feare , might find others so lively resembling them , as if they lineally descended from them .

Such a Survey of Honour might rightly merit the Title of the Noble-mans Lecture : Laying downe such deserving grounds of Courtiers integrity , Martiall prowesse and Christian pollicy , as might attract unto them an eagre desire of imitation .

Nor in this NURSERY OF GENTRY should the quick-sighted Reader find only discourse for Noble Personages to regulate themselves by ; in the view of others actions and dispositions , with the resemblance they find in themselves both of their actions and dispositions : But even such , who have bestowed much precious time in a Sedentary life , shall obserue others no lesse affected that way , then themselves . That neare resemblance , no doubt , which Divine Plato gath'red from the report of Phocions disposition , ☞ and his , ( confirmed by intermissive Letters and other motives ) drew him forth of Asia into Cilicia , for no other cause but onely to see Phocion , so much endeared to him by the report of his vertues , and neare resemblance in conversation .

In this respect , our History may well deserve the Style of the Muses Wardroabe . Or by reason of the Continuation of her Mixt Discourse , stored , for the Readers more delight , with all variety , be properly entitled , The Schollers Medley . But our care is not to insist on Style , but profit of the State : making this our principall ayme , that as in favour and feature you resemble others , you may by a Divine emulation , retaine likewise a resemblance of the vertues of others .

Nor is it to be questioned , but as wee see faces in their favour so nearely resembling one another ( though they have no relation to one an other in blood ) as they can hardly be discerned one from the other : So likewise , in the inward favour or feature of the Mind , there is such an harmony or Divine Symmetry , as there can be no nearer resemblance to the Eye , in those parts or lineaments of the body .

How much then , Gentlemen , may History seeme to deserve your Love ; when you may see in it as in a Mirror , the Image of your whole Life ? This is no such deceiving artificial Glasse , that by the remotenesse of your Object , makes little things seem great , and great little : for this renders a true proportion to the face of every action .

Besides this , History directs Man in the progresse of this Life . History direct man in the progresse of his Life . It never deblazons Honour in the field , but as a branch derived from the first house . Whatsoever declines or degenerates from her , must beare no Armes without a distinction ; when Goodnesse suffers a deficience , it must carry no Coat without a difference . And such Corrasives bring many times vicious habits both to a feeling and a cure . No matter , though ill-affected mindes accompt such Monitors at the first for their Foes , they will hold them , when they have try'd them , for their truest friends .

Telephus , when hee could finde none amongst his Friends to cure his wound , permitted his Enemy to doe it . And hee , who purposed to kill ●rometheus the Thessalian , opened his Impostume with his Sword . Corrasives are ever held more Soveraigne than Cordials for old Sores . Nay , in these Treasuries of Time , you shall finde Directions from one State or Story to another , to prepare man both for his present and future condition .

Mo●strar● Regibus astra viam . Claud. Parad. Starres are directing Emblemes unto Kings , Kings to their Peeres , Peeres to inferiour things .

History prepares man in his passage from life . Nor stayeth our Historicall Direction heere : for it prepares Man as well in his passage from life , as Pilgrimage of this life : shewing , what diversity of infirmities accompany us ; how they are the Suburbs of Death : and how every yeere , nay , every Moonth bringeth some one or new malady , as a Messenger of Mans mortality .

Omnis Annus secum nova parit Mortis nuntia . Omnem Mensem secum novum pepe●isse morbum sentiemus . Aphor. Aelius Adrianus . Animula , vagula , blandula , &c. He will tell you too , how bitter Death is unto such , who never thinke of it before they grapple with it : and this our Historian points out to life in that sole-affectionate or Soule-passionate Dialogue of that expiring Emperour , in his pittifully-perplexed farewell to his best-beloved , his dearest Darling .

Thus may you finde in History , the Image and Life of Man , his Image after he surceaseth to be Man . Directions for his Life ; Provisions against Death : effectuall Considerations for both .

Upon a review of the Premisses , we may safely draw up this Conclusion : Historicall relations , occasions of publick Experiments . Thy whole Life wrapt up in Experiments either at home or abroad , cannot teach thee so much , as a serious discourse taking breath from one integrious History , will teach thee in one yeere .

LUCIL .

Scriptis aspiret meis , qui favet votis .

Laus ei soli tribuatur omnis , Cujus afflatu Labor extat omnis , Fructus ut vitae referantur omnes Orbis in oras .

Imprimatur

THO. WYKES R. P. Episco . Lond. Capell . Domest. MARCH 26. 1638.

FINIS .