The First CRISIS .

Critilo being Shipwrackt , meets with Andrenio , who renders a strange Account of himself .

NOW both Worlds had kissed the Feet of Catholick Philip their Universal Monarch : and the Circle of his Royal Crown , the greatest stage the Sun runs both in the one and the other Hemisphere : within whose Crystaline Center lies enamell'd a small Isle , or Pearl of the Sea , or Esmerald of the Land : to which the August Empress gave it her own Name , that it might be Queen of all other Isles , and Crown of the Ocean . This Isle of St. Helena ( for so it is called ) in the passage from one World to the other , yields refreshment to the grand Cargason of Europe , and hath always been a Free-Port , preserved by Divine Providence between those immense Gulfs to afford entertainment for the Eastern Catholick Fleet.

To this place a Shipwracked person endeavor'd to make his Port , who striving with the Waves , and contending with the Winds , but more with his own sad disastures , a Monster of Nature , and of Fortune , a Swan in his Hoariness , and Voice , sinking on his Plank , between the fatal Medium of Life , and Death , thus complained . O Life ! thou shouldst never have begun , but since thou hast , thou shouldst never end : there is nothing more desired , nor yet nothing more frail , than thou art , and he , who once looseth thee , too late seeks to recover thee ; for ever after I esteem thee for lost : Nature hath shewed her self a Step-mother to Man , denying him a sense to rejoice at his Birth , Life . and yet to fill him with sad apprehensions at his Death : to make him unsensible of the good he receives at his Beginning , and yet to affright and torment him with a Combination of Mischiefs at his End . O Tyrant ! a thousand times more cruel than Humane Nature is capable to be , who first through a scandalous temerity trusted his Life to this inconstant Element on no better support than a frail Vessel ; They say his Breast was covered with Steel , Illi robur & aes triplex circa pectus erat , &c. but I think it was doubled with Iron . In vain hath the Supreme Providence separated Nations with Seas and Mountains , since Humane boldness hath found a Bridge to transport its Malice . Whatsoever humane Industry hath invented , hath been unfortunately retorted to its own destruction . Gun-powder , that horrible devourer of Lives , hath been an Instrument of greatest Ruine ; and what other is a Ship , but a Coffin to anticipate the Solemnities of Death . The Land seemed too narrow a Theater to act the Tragedies of Death , until man found ways to triumph on the Seas , and find a passage to his fatal Destiny through both Elements . By what other means needs unfortunate Man seek to perish , than in the Hull of his own Ship , which like a Scaffold seems erected for punishment of his boldness : With Reason did Cato esteem amongst the three Follies of his Life , his embarking to have been the greatest . O Fate ! O Heavens ! O Fortune ! though I would perswade my self that I were something , yet so dost thou pursue me , that when thou beginnest , thou knowest no end but mine . O! that now it were possible for me to be nothing , that I might disclaim that Being , which is confined with Eternity .

In this manner he beat the Air with Sighs , whilst his Arms rowed the Waters , accompanying his Art with Industry , he seemed to rise above the reach of danger ; for Perils do both fear and respect great Persons , whom Death it self is sometimes ambitious to spare , and Fortune seeks occasions to advantage . Thus the Serpents spared Alcides , the Tempests Caesar , the Sword Great Alexander , and Bullets had no Commission for Charles the Fifth . But alas ! how Misfortunes are enwreathed , one is but the Introduction , or but the Parent to another ; for when he thought to reach the secure Bosom of our Common Mothers , he then began to apprehend new fears , lest the enraged Waves should dash him against the Rocks , which were as hard , as his Fortune was cruel ; the Earth too catched at by his hands , crumbled between them , and tantalized his hopes , when his Life seemed almost secured ; there being neither Water in the Seas , nor Earth on the Land , to assist the Miserable . Thus floated he between both Elements , in the Medium between Life , and Death , made a Sacrifice of his own Fortune : when a sprightly Youth , an Angel in his Appearance , but much more in his Actions , stretched forth his Arms to enclose him , attracting him as the secret Virtue of the Loadstone doth the Iron , and securing his Happiness together with his Life : And being now in Safety on the Shoar , he first kissed the Earth , and casting his Eyes up to Heaven , he gave thanks for his Deliverance ; and then returning to the Restorer of his Life , with open Arms , endeavoured to gratifie him with Embraces , and Acknowledgments ; but he , that had thus obliged him by Deeds , could not answer him with Words , but only gave demonstrations of the grand satisfaction he received at this accident , and of an astonished admiration , to see one so like himself . The grateful Naufrague repeated the expressions of his thanks , and seconded his embraces , asking him of his Health and Fortune ; to all which the astonished Islander was silent ; wherefore he varied his Idioms , and tryed him with some other Languages , with which he was acquainted ; but in vain , since he was a person void of Speech ; so that turning all into Signs and Actions , he ceased not to behold , and admire him , mixing the extremes of Wonder with Contentment . One might reasonably have believed him to have been some incult product of those Woods , but that this Island being uninhabited by Mankind , could not be the native Soil of Humane Race ; besides the fairness and length of his Hair , and the equal proportion of his Mouth , was an argument that he was an European ; the fashion of his Cloaths , or Garments , could yield no light to any Conjectures , being no other than Nakedness the Livery of Innocence . The Intelligent Naufrague reasoned with himself , whether he was destitute of those two Servants of the Soul , Hearing , and Speech ; but his experience soon revolved him in that , for he listned to the least noise , and by his ready attention could so aptly imitate the Voices of Beasts , and Chirping of Birds , with such natural Propriety , that he seemed better to understand Brutes than Men , so prevalent is the force of Custom , and Education . From these sensitive Actions the vivacity of his Spirit darted forth certain Rays , as through the twilight of Reason , the Soul labouring to show , that where Education is wanting , Nature of it self is wholly rude and unpolished .

The desire of knowing each others Fortunes , and Lives , encreased equally in both ; but the want of a common Idiom , was that which envied them this enjoyment ; for Speech is the grand effect of Rationality , and he that cannot Discourse , cannot Converse . Speak , Speech . saith the Philosopher , that I may know you ; for the Soul doth in a noble manner communicate it self , by producing the Images of what it conceives in the Mind of him that hears , which is Properly to Converse : there is no presence where there is not Discourse , nor can they be termed Absent , who communicate by Writing . Those Wise Sages live still , though dead , and discourse with us daily by their Immortal Volumes , and Illuminate Posterity with a continued source , and spring of Knowledge . Speech is both necessary , and pleasant , which two , wise Nature always conjoined in the Functions of Life : Conversation is ever attended with Pleasure , Conversation . and thence is immediately derived the important Affair of Knowing , which Speech only can administer . Wise men by Speaking beget others like themselves , and by Converse Knowledge is gently instilled into the Soul . Hence it is , that Men cannot live happily without some common Language , both in respect of their Necessity , and of their Pleasure . For should two Infants be cast purposely into an Island , they would invent a Language to Communicate , and Converse with each other ; so that noble Conversation is the Daughter of Discourse , the Mother of Wisdom , the Ease of the Soul , the Commerce of Hearts , the Bond of Amity , the Food of Contentment , and the Employment of Humanity .

The experienced Naufrague being well assured of the truth hereof , began immediately to teach this ignorant Youth to exercise Speech , who being both desirous and docible , was very apt to improve the flexibility of his Tongue : He began by the Names of them both , calling himself Critilo , and the other Andrenio , which fitted the ripe Judgment of the one , and of the other , in his natural Principles . The desire of bringing those Conceptions unto light , which had so long inwardly been suppressed , and the curiosity of knowing the truth of what lay clouded , and confused : in his Understanding , were strong Incitements to the docility of Andrenio : so that now he began to Pronounce , then to Ask , then to Answer , and endeavouring at length to Discourse , accompanied his Words with Action , that sometimes where his Words began , his Gestures supplyed the want of other Expressions in the Conclusion . The Account he gave of his Life , was in short and abrupt Speeches , so much the more strange , by how much the less understood ; and oftentimes , where the improbability of the matter could not gain Belief with Critilo , there he pretended to want a true Conception of what he related ; but when he had learned to continue his Discourse , and the number of his Words were equal to the greatness of his Thoughts , at the earnest desires of Critilo , who afforded him also somewhat of his assistance , began to satisfie him in this manner . I , saith he , neither know who I am , nor who hath given me this Being , nor to what End he hath given it me : which Question I often , without Words proposed to my self , being as Ignorant , Natural Conceptions of a Being . as Curious ; but since Queries are caused by Ignorance , I had little means to resolve my self : yet so would I prove my self with argument , that I might , if possible , exceed my self ; for as yet no affectation to any particular Good had so possessed me , but that withdrawing my Soul out of Ignorance , I might reach the limits of my desires . Thou , Critilo askest who I am , and I desire to know that of thee ; for thou art the first Man that until this day I have seen , in whom I find my self more perfectly delineated , than in the silent Chrystals of a Fountain , which oftimes my Curiosity carried me unto , and my Ignorance applauded ; but if you would be informed of the most material success of my Life , I shall relate that to you , which is more strange than long , or tedious .

The first time that I could take knowledge of my self , and form Conceptions of my Being , I found my self immured within the Bowels of that Mountain , which though it hangs out beyond the rest , yet its height asserts its honour and eminency above the other Rocks . Infancy . There it was that I received my first Nourishment from one of those which you call Brutes , but I call Mother , believing my self to have been born from her , and that she had given me the Being I am endued with . It is very agreeable ( replyed Critilo ) to natural Ignorance to stile Men Fathers , and Women Mothers , from whom we receive Beneficence , in which manner , until now , you esteemed a Beast for such ; so the World in its Infancy called every Creature which was profitable , and beneficial , by the name of Father , and at length improved that to the Title of God . So I , ( proceeded Audrenio ) believed that Beast to be my Mother , which nourished me at her Breasts , and bred me up amongst her young Ones , which I esteemed for my Brethren , and as a Brute amongst the Brutes , we played and slept together . She often gave me Milk from her own Teats , shared me part of her Fruits , and Prey which she brought for them . At first I was not so sensible of that tedious Imprisonment , whilst the interiour darkness of my Mind accorded with the exteriour of my Body ; and the want of Knowledge alleviated the deprivation of Light , though some confused glimmerings appeared , which Heaven dispensed at times , through the top of that unhappy Caverne .

But at length arriving at a certain term of Growth and Life , I was on a sudden surprized with such an extraordinary force of Knowledge , with so bright a radiancy of Light , The Light of Reason . and Advertency , that I began to make several reflexions upon my own proper Being . What is this , said I ? am I , or am I not ? for since I live , and know , and observe , I must have a Being : But if I am , Who am I ? and who hath given me this Being ? And to what end hath he given it me ? If it be to remain here , it were a high Infelicity ! Am I a Brute like these ? No , for I observe most apparent differences between us ; for they are covered with Hair , but I , as less favoured of him , who gave me this Being , am Naked , and uncloathed ; besides , I observed my whole Body otherwise proportioned than theirs ; I laugh , and weep , they howl , and cry . I walk strait , raising my Face upwards , when they move bending with their Heads towards the Earth : These were palpable differences , and which observation administred to my Understanding . My desire to come out from hence encreased daily , and the endeavours to see , and know , as they are natural to every one , so they were in me more than ordinarily violent , and impatient ; but that which troubled me most , was to see the Brutes my Companions , with a strange nimbleness to trip over the indigested heaps , entring out , and returning in at their own pleasure ; which I not being able to do , was soon sensible , that that Priviledge and Liberty was denied only unto me .

I assayed often times to follow those Beasts , and crawl o'er the Rocks after them , which I appayed with the Blood , that started from my Fingers ; and I would have helped my self likewise with my Teeth , but all in vain , and to my prejudice ; for I commonly tumbled to the next Bottom , which I left wetted with my Blood , and Tears : at my Voice and Cries the compassionate Beasts came running to my succour , and dividing me a share of their Fruits , and Prey , moderated my Grief , and in part eased me of my discontent . The want of my outward Speech was supplyed by my inward Thoughts , and Soliloques , and the Doubts , and Difficulties my observation and curiosity encountred , not being capable of being resolved by my Judgment , ended in wonder and admiration ; but the confused noise of these Seas , was a subject of my continued trouble , whose Waves beat more violently against my Breast , than these Rocks ; but what should I think of those affrighting Claps of Thunder , those encounters in the Air , whose Clouds dissolved into Rain , as my Eyes into Tears ? But that which reduced me from a perplexity of Mind , and Pangs of Soul even to the very Agonies of Death , were certain Voices which I heard from without , somewhat like yours , which at a distance seemed more confused , but afterwards came by little and little more distinct and articulate , which so naturally affected me , that they left me not without strong impressions in my Mind . I well observed the difference of them from those of Beasts , and from the usual sounds with which I was formerly acquainted , which begot in me a vehement Passion , to see , and know from whence they proceeded ; but being not able to attain thereunto , I languished in the extremes of despair , and death ; and though there were but few things into which I could dive with my Thoughts , yet I have neither wanted of them Discourse , nor Meditation : one thing I can assure you , that I have often , and a thousand times entertained thoughts of the manner and disposition , situation , variety , and composure of these things according to the meanness of my capacity , yet never could attain to the least apprehension of the manner , and order of this various Composition , which we now see , and admire .

This is not much ( answered Critilo ) for if the Wits of all those Men , which have been , or shall be hereafter , should unite in one , to trace the Artifice of this Worlds Composure , and to consider of its Government , their Consultations would come short of that Providence , which is required in its direction . But why do I instance in the Universe ? since their art reaches not to the formation of the least Flower , or Fly ; only that supream Creator hath found a Way , and Order to make a harmony in Beauty and changeable Variety .

But tell me , that which I so greatly desire to know , and hear from you , in what manner you came forth from that tedious Prison , that untimely Grave of your Habitation , but especially ( if it be possible for you to express ) what Thoughts , and Notions , your admirable Spirit conceived , at your first entrance into Light , when you discovered , saw and admired the applauded Theater of the Universe . Hold ( said Andrenio ) I had here need to take breath to prosecute a Relation so strange and pleasant .

The Second CHRISIS . The Grand Theater of the Universe .

THey say , that as soon as the supream Artificer had accomplished the Composure of the Worlds Fabrick ; his next Work was to dispose unto every one his Order , and apart all Kinds in their several and most natural Stations . So he summoned all Creatures from the Elephant to the Fly , and shewing them the several distinct Regions , and Elements , left the choice of all to their Free and voluntary Election . The Elephant answered , That he would content himself with a Wood , the Horse with a Meadow , the Eagle with one of the Regions of the Air , the Whale in the Ocean , the Swan in a Fish-pond , the Barbel in the River , and the Frog in a Pool . The last of all came Man , though the first in Dignity , who to the Question propounded , answered , that he could not content himself with less than all , and that too seemed but little for his enlarged desires . This exorbitant Ambition struck no small wonder to those present , though it was soon applauded by a flattering Sycophant , as a demand agreeable to the greatness of his Mind ; though by one with better Judgment term'd the defect of his depraved corporeal composition . The superficies of this Globe seemed too narrow a confinement for his enlarged desires , until in quest of Gold , and Silver , he found a way to undermine , and rip up the Bowels of the Earth . His Pride makes him climb to possess the Air by the lofty Pinacles of his Edifices , lest his Ambition should be suffocated , and stifled in the lower Region . He compasses the Seas , sounds the Ocean , dives for Pearls , Amber , and Corral to nourish his Folly , and swell his Vanity . He taxes each Element according to its quality to pay him Tribute , the Air her Birds , the Sea her Fish , the Earth her Beasts , the Fire its heat , to entertain , not to satisfie his Luxury . And yet , as if all this were unsufficient , nothing can appease his Complaints of a Penurious Portion . O monstrous Covetousness of Man ! The Supream Creator took him by the hand , See , said he , and know , that I have formed Man by my own Hands , for my Servant , and your Lord , and like a King , as he is , pretends to Govern all . But understand , O man , that this is to be with your Mind , and not with your Belly , as a Man , not as a Beast . You ought to be Lord of all Creatures , and not a Slave to them , they ought to follow you , and not you attracted by them . You ought to possess all with Knowledge , and Acknowledgement , that is contemplating in all these Created Mirrours the Divine Perfections , making a step of the Creature to pass unto the Creator . This Relation of Prodigies , though a Lesson amongst us common to the meanest and most vulgar Capacities , was yet strange , and unheard of to Andrenio , who recovering himself from his deep Contemplations thereon , and passionate Aspirations towards the Divine Essence , began to proceed in this manner .

My sleep , said he , prosecuting his former Discourse , was the ordinary pastime of my hours , and the chiefest ease of my Melancholy , and Solitariness : to that I inclined as a Remedy of my Discontent , when one night ( for all to me were such ) a more than ordinary deadness of sleep possessed me , an infallible Presager of Evil ; and so it was , for startling from my Slumber , awakened by the vehemency of a Gust , burst from the deepest Caverns of yonder Mountain , which shook the whole Fabrick , and firm Pillars which support it ; and whistling through the Breach it made , diffused it self into a general Tempest with so much Rage and Violence , as to shake the foundation of the neighbouring Rocks , as if its force had been sufficient to have shattered this grand Machine into their first nothing . Hold , said Critilo , the Mountains themselves are not exempted from change , but exposed to Earthquakes , and Thunder , their power of resistance being the cause of their subversion . But if these Rocks shook ( said Andrenio ) what should I ? All the Joints of my Body seemed to be loosed , and dissolved , my heart ready to break with Throbs , my Senses failed me , that I found my self half dead , and almost buried between the Rocks and my own fears ; whil'st this Eclipse of my Soul remained , the Parenthesis of my Life , neither can I know , nor can any other inform me concerning it , at length , I know not how , nor when , I returned by little and little to recover my self from this total dereliction of my Spirits ; I unclosed my Eyes to the dawnings of the day , a day clear , great , and happiest that ever my life hath seen , a day which I have noted on the Stones and engraved on the Rocks . I instantly perceived the Doors of my tedious Prison broke open , a comfort so transporting me , that I delayed no time to unbury my self , and as one new-born in the World , to leap into it , through that Gap , in which appeared the Rayes , and Light of the chearful Heaven : At first , not fully satisfyed of the reality , I went round the Rock , still suppressing with what power I could the strong rebulliency of my Passions : but at length , well assured , I returned to the confused Balcony of my Life , and Prospect , diffusing my Eyes in a general view over this grand Theater of Heaven and Earth : the whole vigour of my Soul applying it self to the Windows of my Eyes with that Contentment , and Curiosity , that it disabled the rest of my Senses to perform their Function , that for a whole day I remained immoveable , unsensible , and dead , being overwhelmed by over-powering of too strong a Life . I would here express , but it is impossible , the intense violence of my Affections , the extravagant Raptures of my Soul ; I can only tell you , that there still remain impressions thereof upon me ; and the wonder , and amazement I then conceived , are not so clearly forgotten , but that the sense thereof , do strongly affect me . I believe , said Critilo , that when the Eyes see what they never espied , the Heart feels , what it was never sensible of . I beheld ( proceeded Andrenio ) the Sea , the Land , the Heaven , and each severally , and altogether , and in the view of each I transported my self without thoughts of ever ending , admiring , enjoying , and contemplating a fruition which could never satiate me .

O! How much I envy thee ( said Critilo ) this unknown happiness of thine , the only priviledge of the first Man , and you , the Faculty of seeing all at once , Novelty . and that with Observation , the Greatness , Beauty , Harmony , Stability , and Variety of this created Fabrick . Familiarity in us takes off Admiration , and Novelty affects little those , who have neither Knowledge , or advertency to enjoy it . For we enter into the World with the Eyes of our Understanding shut , and when we open them unto Knowledge the Custom of seeing hath rendred the greatest Wonders , neither strange , nor admired at the Judgments disclosure . Therefore the wise Worthies have repaired much of this defect by reflections , looking back again as it were to a new Birth , making every thing , by a search and examination into its Nature , a new subject of astonishment ; admiring , and criticizing on their Perfections . Like those , who walk in a delicious Garden , diverted solely with their own Thoughts , not observing at first the artificial adornments , and variety of Flowers ; yet afterwards return back to view each Plant , and Flower with great Curiosity : So we enter into this Garden of the Universe walking from our Birth , until our Death , without the least glance on the Beauty , and Perfection of it : unless some wiser Heads chance to turn back , and renew their Pleasure by a Review , and Contemplation . This Andrenio considered to be his greatest Happiness , in that he arrived to that height of Perfection , which he had so long expected and desired . Your happiness ( said Critilo ) was your restraint , since afterwards you knocked off your Bolts , and arrived at a full fruition both of your own desire , and them ; for things that are worth our Wishes , and obtained , are twice enjoyed : the greatest Wonders , if familiar , and common , soon loose their Repute , and an easie access , and a free use makes but a toy of the greatest Prodigy ; The Sun hath done us a courtesie in absenting himself at night , that his return may be the more grateful in the morning . What a conjunction of Affections must you needs feel ? What over-flowings of your Senses ? How must your Soul have been ravished , and employed in its attention on those Objects ? 'T was much , you were not over-boarn with a Contemplation so violent , and admirable . I believe ( answered Andrenio ) that whilst my Attention was busied in Seeing , and Observing , it was so fixed on the present Object , that it found no force nor power to communicate unto another .

But those chearful emanations of the Grand-Monarch of Light , which you call the Sun , crowned with his own Beams , The Sun . and encircled with Rayes , stroak an awfulness to Eyes to render him the Reverence , and Admiration : At the Glory of his Throne , at the Soveraignty and Silence of His Majesty , which triumphs in the Christaline Waves , and fills all Creatures with his bright Presence ; I was wholly swallowed up in Amazement , envying the Eagle should be more intent , than my self . At his naming the Sun ( Critilo could contain no longer , but instantly cryed out , and applauded the Comfort , the Bliss , the Happiness enjoyed in that immortal and glorious Light the Sun . My admiration still encreased , said Andrenio , until my Attention grew dim , and amazed , because I desired him at a distance , to whom I feared to approach near , my Reason telling me , what I observed that no other Light but his could dim my Eyes , and that no nearer Access could be to him , but only by Contemplation . The Sun ( said Critilo ) is that Creature , which is the most lively Esfigies , and Abstract of the Creators Majesty and Greatness . He is called , Sol , because he solely runs the compass of the Heavens , his Presence out-shining the Glory of the other Luminaries : his situation is in the midst of the Celestial Orbs , as the centre and heart of Light , the perpetual fountain of Rayes , a constant and an unchangeable Essence , whose Virtue assisted us to see other things , and yet covers and hides his own Beauty with the Vail of his Brightness : his influence concurs with more immediate Causes to the Production of all Creatures : nor can Man deny him to be the Author , and Parent of his Life . His Light is most effectual in being communicated ; for diffusing it self into all parts , and piercing the very Bowells of the Earth , doth with an admirable Vertue , strengthen , foment , rejoice , and nourish : his influence is not Partial , but common , all having need of him , and he of none . In fine , he is a Creature of the greatest Pomp and Glory , the most resplendent Beam of the Divine Majesty . A whole day , said Andrenio , I was employed in beholding him , sometimes in himself , and sometimes his Reflections in the Waters being forgetful of my time and self . At this Critilo remembred what the Philosopher said , That he was born to behold the Sun ; which was well said , though ill understood ; for his meaning was , that in this material Sun , he did contemplate the Divine Glory , for if but an Emission , and Shadow of him be so bright , what must be the true Light of that infinite , and uncreated Beauty ?

But alas , said Andrenio , how soon , like the unconstancy of this World , was the height of my comfort changed into displeasure , the joy of my birth into the horrour of my Death , the throne of the morning into the Grave of the night , The night . the Sun being descended through the Waters into another World , left me drowned in a Sea of my own Tears ; but whilst the apprehensions of never seeing him again , did grievously affect me , behold on a sudden a new Wonder diverted my Thoughts , the appearance of a Heaven adorned with Stars , changed the Scene , and renewed my Contentment . This Prospect was no less welcome than the other , the variety , and strangeness of the Objects affording me an entertainment to busie my attention . O that immense Wisdom of God! said Critilo , which hath found a means to make the Night no less beautiful and admirable than the Day . Absurdly hath vulgar ignorance imposed the Epithites of drowsie , dark , and uncomely upon the twinklings , and serenity of the night : those descriptions of being the repose of Labour , the refreshments and diversion of Cares , are but reproaches of its Sluggishness and Melancholy : but better is it expressed by a Person of Wisdom , who calls it the time of Contemplation and Thoughts : and for that reason , was the Owl at Athens celebrated as the Hieroglyphick of Knowledge . The night is not so proper for the Ignorant to sleep , as for the Wise and Studious to watch , the Night being to prepare that which the Day must execute . In this entertainment my Thoughts were soon engaged in a Labyrinth of numbring the Stars , some whereof only twinkled , others shined clearly , observing their various Magnitudes , Degrees , Motions , and Colours , whilst some appeared , others withdrew : all resembling , said Critilo , humane Fortune , which is no sooner up , but inclines to his setting .

But what I much considered , said Andrenio , with small satisfaction , was that disorderly , and yet admirable disposition of them ; for seeing the Superiour Artificer had adorned , and sealed the Convexity of the Heavens with Stars , why he did not dispose them with Order and Method , interweaving them with pretty Knots , and flowry Circles : I know not how to declare or express my self . I already understand you , said Critilo , your meaning is , that the Stars should have been disposed in Order , and Rank , like some rich Embroidery , or the Flowers of some delicious Garden , or studded like Rows of D●amonds , that the lustre of one , might with an artificial correspondency have set off the Beauty of another . Yes , said he , for besides that the disposition of this resplendent Artifice , would have been a prospect more delicious to the Sight , so it would have cleared that fond imagination of some , who suppose Chance to have been Framer of this Universe , and by a foolish Prophaneness hoodwink the Providence of the Almighty . Your Query , said Critilo , is not from the purpose , for you must know that the Divine Wisdom directing , and disposing of them in this manner , had more Sublime Reason , than is easily conceiveable , placing their Harmony , and Rule not so much in their situation , as the conveniency of their Motion , and Temperature : for there is not a star in heaven , which hath not his different nature , and influence ; as Herbs and Plants of the Earth have their distinct Vertues , some predominate in heat , others in cold , some are dry , others moist ; so that their extreme qualities being equally mixed , produce a just and moderate temperature in all . That Artificial order that you speak of , is but an Idle toy , and fond invention of Art affected , and procured only to entertain the vanity of humane Folly . In this manner , every night represents us a new Scene of Heaven , nor is our Sight , nor our Humour though unconstant , ever wearied to behold it . Every person according to his fancy , entertains a distinct Conception , and Idea of their Proportions , the variety and well ordered confusion make the vulgar to imagin them innumerable , and the appearance of disorder is to them a riddle of Providence , though Wise men have the knowledge to search out , and discover their Order and Government . I was much pleased , said Andrenio , with the diversity , and variety of their colours , some were pale , others ruddy , some of a gold , others of a silver colour , there only , methoughts , wanted Green , that acceptable and grateful object of the Sight . That , said Critilo , partakes too much of an Earthly quality , greenness being a Symptome , or Badge of Hope , is more agreeable to the future Wishes , and growing expectation of the Earth , than to that sublimer Region , which is swallowed up wholly in a happy Possession . This colour also is contrary to the nature of the Celestial Luminaries , and is a sign of humidity , and corruption . Did you never observe that Star which makes a Point in the Globe of Heaven , the Object to the which the Load-stone tends , and the blank to which it darts all its Emissions ? To that the Compass of our attention fixes one Point , and thereby measures other Circles , which running round encompasses our Lives .

I must confess ( said Andrenio ) with no less curiosity was my attention taken up in admiring that beautiful Queen of the Stars the Governess of the night , The Moon . the Suns substitute , and little inferiour to him in Dignity , that which you call the Moon ; though at this Light I found not those refreshments , nor alacrity , as at the the other ; A Mirrour of Humane Frailty . yet the varieties of its encreasing , and decreasing was no less subject of my admiration . It is the second President of time , said Critilo , an equal Colleague with the Sun in Government , if one Governs the day , the other Rules the night , if one is the Almanack of the Year , the other is of the Months , if the Sun heats and dries the Earth by day , the Moon refreshes , and bedews it at night ; if the Sun cherishes , and ripens the fruitful Fields , the Moon swells , and overflows the Fountains , so that both perform their several Functions , and are the two scales and ballances of the Times and Seasons . But that which is best worth your observation is , that as the Sun is a clear Mirrour , and Emblem to represent unto us the Perfection of the Divine Attributes ; so the Moon is the Glass wherein to discover the uncertainty of humane frailty ; for her condition , like the unconstancy of his , is never setled , or permanent , but is sometimes in the increase , then in the decrease ; sometimes in the first point of its appearance , anon in the last term of its decrease ; sometimes at the full , anon in an unperceivable nothing : whose Light being totally communicated by the Sun , is eclipsed of her Glory by an interposition of the Earth ; when she is brightest , she discovers most of her spots ; she is the lowest of all the Planets in situation , and dignity ; her power is more predominant on Earth , than in Heaven : so that all those Epithets of changeable , defective , spotted , inferiour , poor , sad , and the like , are all derived from her too near vicinity with the Earth . All this night , said Andrenio , and many more I spent in this pleasant entertaintment , making my self as many Eyes , as the Heaven had Stars , and all too little to view this Prospect . But by this time the Noats of the Birds were alarms of the mornings approach tuning their Salvè to his second entrance , giving notice to the Stars to retire , and to the Flowers to awake . The Sun began again to arise , Sun . and I to revive with his sight , whom I chearfully saluted , but methoughts , with something more cool affections . The Sun , said Critilo , at the second view doth not amaze , nor at the third strike admiration . My curiosity began by this time to abate , as my stomach became more sharp ; so after I had repeated some applauses , and praises in his honour , I descended lower by the direction of his light ( which I perceived was a Creature , and an Instrument to serve my use ) for the strengthening of the Mind is subject to the necessities of the Body , and sublime contemplations cannot be continued but by new supplies made to the decays of nature . So that , I say , I descended by that dangerous Ladder which those confused ruines had rudely and casually digested , which yet I acknowledge to the Providence of Heaven ; for otherwise there had been no means for my safe descent . But before I tread the least step on the bottom , I must tell you , that both my Voice and words fail me ; and therefore I must entreat the supply of your expressions to recount the number of my thoughts , and so the second time I invite you to new Wonders , though Terrene .