IN the suruey of Histories, the true Relators of things done, with a probable collection of things to come, by precedent euents: I thought good com­pendiously to contract some e­speciall caueats, as well for ob­seruance in Historical Discour­ses, as for preuention of such in­conueniencesA three-fold diuision. (or exorbitances rather) as happily might occurre in such Narrations. First therefore I1. Scope of hi­stories. haue propounded to my selfe this methode, (by way of inferance) to describe the true scope at which all Histories ought to aime, and to which they should principally be directed. Secondly, to distinguish of2. Fruit of hi­stories. seuerall vses and fruits of Histories. The end whereof being exactly set downe, a di-iudicating power may easily collect from what Subiect the choicest and sele­ctedst fruits may bee deduced. Thirdly, the profite3. The profite redounding to [...] Fami­lies by Histo­ries. which redounds to euery state, either Aristocraticke, Democraticke, or Monarchicke, by the true and vnder­standing vse of Histories. The true vse and scope of all Histories ought to tend to no other purpose, then a true narration of what is done, or hath beene atchie­ued either in forraigne or domesticke affaires, with a [Page 2] modest application (for present vse) to caution vs in things offenfiue, and excite vs to the management of im [...]loiments in themselues generous, and worthy i­ [...]. So as it pleased the Orator to call Historie the [...], or M [...]rror of mans li [...]e: charactring the [...] of this Vniuerse, the states of princes, eu [...]nts of wa [...]res, conquests of renowned Captaines, euen all designes, either publicke or p [...]iuate by a suc­cinct discription, or map rather [...]xpressing e [...]ery par­ [...] affaire: and what (as a worthy Historian hath obs [...]rued) can be imagined more worthy admiration, then in a safe and retired port, in the harbour of secure rest, in our ptiuate reposes to see there a Prince belea­gred with many hostile apponents, straight by miracu­lous meanes defeating them, and by his owne policie, (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 Cittiy by wise and discreet gouernment wonderfully preserued: here amidft con­cealing or shadowing rather of the conquerours ex­ploits by his moderation in conquering, implies how he 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 Gouernesse of am­ple Territories, and now made subiect to those which were her subiects: no Prince of so prosperous imploy­men [...]s, so successiue 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 of Macedon, who (though Prince of the whole world) could not play prince of his little world, being slaued to distempered passions. No Citty but sore harased, if notrazed. Nor could that Italian Tryacala (which ta­king her denominate from the Greeke, comprehends all beauty) stand against the iniury of Time, or with­stand [Page 3] the battry of all assaults; which makes me taxe that Ci [...]ty of arrogance (whereof Hyppo. speaketh in his Booke of the increase of Citties) vpon the gates whereof was this Impressa ingrauen, Intact [...]manet. To see these states so well and liuely decoloured, cannot but conferre no lesse delight (being grounded on ver­tue, where all true and perfect delights bee seated) then the relation of the Troian affaires (being made by so excellent and experimented an Historian as Itha­c [...]s) delighted that chaste Greeke Penelope: Theseus Trauels Ariadne, or Alcides Labours Omphale. But to the vse of Historie. Historie being a minte of profit and delight, the seasoning of more serious studies, the reporter of cases adiudged by euent, the enterlude of our haps, the image of fortune, the compendiarie di­rector of affaires, the representer of humane successe, the infallible character (by collation had with things past, and things to come) of succeding euents: should not aime at lasciuious stories, amorous subiects (vn­lesse by way of disgression to smooth a serious dis­course with a modest insertion of mirth) but to prose­cute the argument of the Historie without friuolous Ambages, or impertinent circumstances. Affectation ill beseemes an Historian: For hee should vnderstand what office he supports; not any thing draind from his owne inuention, but to performe the charge of sincere relation. I approue of his oppinion that thought, Inuention to be least needfull to an Histori­an, but disposition more then to any. It is sufficient for an Historian to expresse what hee hath read or seene, truly, without concealing any thing, in partiall r [...]spect to any person, making truth the period of his dis­course. The Phylosopher thought a poore man was not to be an historian: for necessity would inforce him temporise and obserue humors: Nor a rich man, for he had his eye fixed vpon his estate, and durst not vn-rip great mens errors, lest he should loose by his labours. [Page 4] But I disaprou [...] his censure, and refell it with anothers opinion of the same sect: Si diues de fortunis & infor­tunijs scribat, sie enim vtrius (que) fortunae sortem aequius ferat. Si pauper de fortunis scribat, vt cum eas attigerit, melius eas regat & teneat. The error of iudgement should not be appropriated either to want, or eminence of fortune: for so should we subiect the inward to the outward, the intellectuall 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 dis-able them (by extenuating theit powers) lessening their re­uenewes, or ecclipsing their pristine honour and emi­nence, by mentioning some insuccessiue euents they haue had by warre, or other occurrents, I wholly dis­allow it, proceeding either from priuate enmity to the state, or from a malevolent nature (vnfitting for so good a professour) apt to sting all, because an enmy to himselfe and all. States should not bee laid too open: but when occasion serues to describe the seates of Countries, Regions, &c. or to touch the manners and conditions of inhabitants, how they liue, and to what trades most inclined, with whom they haue commerce or the like, will not derogate any thing from the scope of an History, or any way implye a digression. It is thought, (and that by the Authentickst Historians) that Caesar; by the description of U [...]lateranus, which he made of Britaine, declairing how the people were sa­uage, and vnapt for military discipline, the places of defence vnprouided: 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 preuented by a Brutus, who to rid Rome of tyranny, restored poore Britaine to her li­berty, for his iourney was staied by death.

And (doubtlesse) there is nothing which inflames the minde of man more vnto valour and resolution, then the report of the acts of their Auncestors, whose [Page 5] monuments remaining of record with this Impress: Non norunt h [...]c monumenta mori, must needs stirre vp in them a desire of imitation.

Many examples I could produce herein, as the Tro­phies of Mil [...]iades inducements of imitation to Casar: the acts of Achilles to Alexander, of Vlysses to T [...]lamon, of the Greekish Heroes to Prymaleon, of Danaus to Lin­ceus, Aegeus to Theseus. Many times (we reade) where a naturall defect and want of courage was seated, euen a retrograde from the sphere of valour, there (though a barren seed-plot to work on) by historical discourse hath magnanimity shewne herselfe in more perfect & real colors, thē if nature her selfe had implanted in that man a Natiue desire to fight, so powerfull is history in her selfe, where Nature in her selfe expresseth small power. This discourse therefore should not bee em­ploied in any thing saue in excitements to Glory, mo­tiues to warlike designes; since by it valour is quicke­ned, a desire of honour inflamed, Countries fame dispersed, and Monuments of neuer dying glory ere­cted: O then who should so disalow the precious trea­sure of a refined discourse, as to mix it with impudent and scurrilous inventions; such fictions as are not one­ly in themselues fabulous, but to the vnstaid Reader (of which sort wee haue too many) mortally dange­rous. Which fables (in my opinion) fall among the impertinent and feagured Tables called Milesiz; one­ly aiming at the depravation of manners, and the effeminating best resolued Spirits. The ripnesse whereof (by such vnseasoned discourses) become bla­sted before their time: O that the depravednesse of these times should taint so generally approued study: making Histories meere Panygi [...]icks (poems of adu­lation, to insinuate and winde themselues into the affection of the great, leauing the scope of an History to gaine by their studious trafficke.Office of an [...] Historian.

But let vs returne to the office of a good Historian. [Page 6] He will not write but vpon 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 vpon an History, annexing to it an vnnecessary glosse. He will not be so ingaged to any, as that he will be restrained of his scope; or so countermanded, as that he must of necessity illustrate vice, vertue cannot passe without her character: A good Historian will alwaies expresse the actions of good men with an Emphasis, to solli­cite the Reader to the affecting the like meanes, whereby hee may attaine the like end. This was the cause all the Noble Heroes in ancient time did liue to posteritie their acts to imitate: not so much for record of their owne memorable lifes, as for the propagating their Countries eternall honour by succeding Wor­thies. As those establishers of good and wholesome Lawes made themselues with their Countrie renow­ned: Mynois and Radamanth among the Cretensians; Orpheus among the Thracians, Draco and Solon in A­thens, Lycurgus in Lacedemon, Zamolx is among the Scythians: Nor bee Historians (if so the Professours merite that style) of lesse esteeme then the prudentest and most experienced Statists. For these direct euery Senatour in polliticke affaires by producing such as excelled in administration of iustice, describing the very natures of such Lawes, and the causes why such Lawes were enacted to present times.

These Ages haue beene, and are to this day, much [...] of Trans­criptories. indebted to Transcriptions, Inventions are oft times slow, where the application of things inuented to the present State seemes more facile and easy: Hereto then should the scope of Histories tend; not onely to per­sonate the acts of men vpon the Theater of this world, but likewise to cull out such Lawes, Orders, and Pre­cepts, as well Morall as Diuine, which may benefiet [Page 7] their present estate. Sysambris skin was a good caueat for succeding Iudges: Iustice before went on crutches, and more were troubled with Demosthenes disease then with Phoycions bluntnesse. The Historian must not sow pillowes to the elbowes of Magistrates, nor sooth corruption with an humour of shadowing vice: He showes what was done: and commends the one to re­prehend the other. Vertue neuer wants her character, nor vice her reproofe: For such Hystoricall Relations as induce to vertue and deterre from vice, compre­hend in them the true vse of such Subiects, being Apologeticall and Morall to reforme, not Mylesian or prophane to deforme or disfigure the exact simme­tree of a vertuous Idiome. No maruell if Alexander laid the workes of Homer vnder his head, being such as directed him how to be a Head, how to gouerne Prouinces, how to sway his inordinate affections; so as Cleanthes Fable (vertues best elucidary) had her Li­berall Sciences neuer better portraied, then the diffe­rences twixt true fortitude, and a foole-hardy bold­nesse were by Homer deblazoned. Here a Hectors badge of true valour, there an Antenor whose grauity pur­chas'd him honour: there a Diomedes no lesse wise then resolued, here a Troilus stoutnesse but vnaduised here warres well managed abroad, but lesse successiue at home, examplefied in Agamemnon, there a subtile scouce, no lesse frieghted with pollocy then successe in Sinon. All these are expressed by that Heriocke Historian.

These acts couid not but minister sufficient matter of admiration to such Iudicious Readers, as apprehen­ded each circumstance in the subiect; making that apt connexion of all, that the body might seeme more [Page 8] excellent, by the proportioning of euery member. Seuerall fruits of History. Histories in themselues are diuerse, producing seue­rall fruits to the pervsers, according to euery mans affection: Which made that moderne Historian com­pare them to a Banquet, wherein were to be serued se­uerall dishes; some to prouoke appetite, others to sa­tiate, more delightfull subiects penned for relishing more serious studies, grauer discourses to ripen the vnderstanding, by applying the instructions of for­raine States to our owne iudgements: where we may make vse of the best part of man (in his reasonable po­wer) and that is Election: approuing of what is good, or may in it selfe be beneficiall to the State: and slieghtly obseruing discourses of indifferency, as ac­complements, ceremonies, circumstances, and the like, resembling faire frontespices which are made rather for ornament then vse. It is necessary for a good Hi­storian to haue maturity of iudgement, to apprehend what is fittest for his discourse, and to be as little com­plemental as may be, lest the varnish marre the worke; for the words of an History in my opinion iumps with Mirandula:—Vt non sint le [...]ta ita nec neglecta: the one implics a kind of deiection, the other a minde tooProfite of Hi­story. curious to profite any, desiring onely to please him­selfe. Caesar in his Comment, shewes no lesse disci­pline in the Art of History, then in the discipline of Armes: vsing a stile as well fitting a Souldier, as curio­sity the smoth tongue of an Orator. It is true which are obserued of him: Si acta eius penitus ignorasses, per linguā tamē militem esse diceres: Hauing neither hi [...] phrases too selected, (as to shew a singularity) or too neglected to expresse a c [...]relesnesse in his writing. The records of things done commended to posterity should not be enrolled, as the Chaldees did their Hieroglyphicks in ciphers and intricate conclusions, but in words most significant, phrases modestly elegant, and discourse most pertinent? Here by way of disgression let me [Page 9] touch the ridiculous labours, and vnfruitfull trauailes of such who passe the Alpes, trace vncoth places, De­s [...]rts, Promontories; for what end Heauen knowes, s [...]ue onely to wrest ou [...] a phantasticke behauiour of superfluous wit, or to comme t on othe [...]s trauailes by way of dirision: These are such as vpon their returne, publish what they haue seene; some more then they haue seene, which I tearme Commenting Trauailers: o­thers lesse then they haue seene (or at least the most [...]) which I tearme Phantasticke Trauailers. Such as lye on their trauell, either doe it for admiration, or hauing run vpon the aduerse shelues of a deplored for­t [...]ne, are enforced to inuent strange things for the re­liefe of their deiected estate. Such as publish lesse then they haue seene, (omitting things of the greatest con­sequence, to satisfie our humors with trifles) do 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 trauell: they insert fri­uolous occurrents, borrowed, or (it may be) inuented by their owne phantasticke braines. These misse the marke a good Traueller should aime at: they should obserue Lawes in forraigne places, like a good Ly­curgus to [...]ranspose so glorious a freight to their owne Countrey. They should not (like our Fashion-inuen­ters, our Italionated Albionacts) so much obserue 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 neuer flourished more, then when she conformed her state to the imitation of the [...]. Many Realmes haue we knowne to be miraculouily protected, by meanes of experienced men: which experience theyVsc of [...] and example. either receiued by Trauell or Example: yea, many [Page 10] Empires (and those of amplest circumference) haue beene reduced from a kinde of seruitude within them­selues, by experiments deriued from a far [...]e. For tra­uell, the excellent designes of Sertorius, Eumenes, Ma­rius, [...]nd Antonius, may sufficiently confirme the pro­fite to bee reaped thereby. For example: We shall read in all the Roman Annals, a certaine vehement de­sire in all the worthy Patritians of imitating whatsoe­uerImitation in vertue. they perceued to be worthy imitation in their pre­decessours, marking the euents 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 onely imitate the vercues so transparant in others, but euen exem­plifie their memorable actions in themselues. We are placed in the following Ages, but we scorne to follow the precedent times in their vertues, though expert enough in contriuing politicke designes: the fabricke of our inuention can dispose or transpose it selfe to a­ny shape, any impression, or priuate gaine or aduan­tage: but publicke affaires may bee Aduocates for the [...]selues; they are a Merchandise too farre estranged from our affections, none will trauell to purchase their Countr [...]es peace: Solon and we haue few that goe mad for th [...]ir countrey; but Tarp [...]a's wee haue too many, that are mad with desire to betray their Countrey. Few Law-inacters, many Law-infringers: making wholesome lawes, like Tarandulas web, wickets for great ones to come through, but snarles for little ones to hold.

But to returne to our former argument: by the right vse of H [...]story, we see vertue reuiued when her defen­der is dead: and to say the truth, I may vse Thales sen­tence in this discourse: [...]ithout History, Nihil mortem à vi [...]a differre: Since the life of the dead depends vpon the memory of the liuing: for without some memoriall of actions prosecuted, what difference betwixt the va­liant [Page 11] acts of Ithacus, and the shamefull retirednesse of Aeg [...]schus? betwixt Aeneas piety, and Pigmalions cru­elty? They are dead, and their poore vrne can speake no more for them, then Pompeys Sepulchre spake for him: Hic situs est mag [...]us, here hee lyes that was once great: powerfull in popular command, generally suc­cesfull, before his Pharsalian discomfite: here hee lies that was stiled his Countries Patron, Romes best Cen­tinell: yet failing in the close of his fortunes, droo­ping in the vpshot of his victories: Time can erect no other monument in his remembrance: Uixi, & Uici: onely once I liued, and was once conquerour. It is re­corded, that when Alexander came to the Tombe of Achilles, and beheld the mirror of Greece, shut vp in so small a scantling of earth, (a parcell of that whole which could hardly containe him liuing) he wept bit­terly, adding: Heccine sunt Trophea? 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 motiue for Alexander, to caution him of his mortality, and might make vp this conclusion: Alexander thou art not [...], but [...]: not the sonne of Iupiter, but the sonne of earth.

The like we reade related by Qu [...]ntus Curtius: that when this great Prince of Maccdon came into Persia, an obiect of no lesse pitty, then example of humanc frail [...]y, represented it selfe vnto him: to wit, the poore Sepulchre of that victorious Cyr [...]s, on which he found no other Inscription then this: O man, whosoeuer thou be, or from what pl [...]ce soeuer thou shal [...] come (for I know thou wilt come) know, that I am Cyrus, who translated the Emp [...]re from the Medes to the Persians: pray thee doe not enur me for this little handfull of earth that doth couer 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 [Page 12] victories tended: So as Neroes affecting command and soueraignty was well answered by Seneca: Pulchrum est regnare (said Ne [...]o:) Nihil est, si nihil quaras, replied Senec [...]: certainly (if I be not blinded with the loue of Historical discourse) there is no means better to deter from vice, nor more effectuall inducements vnto ver­tue, then these moral relatiōs. By them we see the liues of Princes, and their employments (Prima sp [...]cie leta) [...]n their first entrance or passage pleasant, and delightfull, promising no lesse then successe, and in successe continuance: Afterwards, Tractu dura, more difficulties attending, as if the Wheele of For­tune were remoued to a place subiected to more occurrents; yet not so dangerous, as to bee at­tended by ruine: nor so secure, as to promise an vndoubted issue. Euentu tristia, a strange Catastrophe of so faire beginnings: where, in the first, there was security grounded vpon more then hope: in the se­cond, hope, though not secure: In the third, neither hope nor security, but depriuall of both. Yet euen in these conuersions, if it please the Reader to cast his eye vpon the admirable moderation of some Prin­ces affections, he shall see verily a Christian resolution in a Pagan. Furius Camill [...]s could not bee daunted, [...]. ( [...]ough vniustly censured:) his exile neither made him d [...]ected, nor his Dictatorship proud. Phocion, that honest Senatour (to satisfie an vnsatiate appetite of reuenge) renders vp his life willingly, and when hee could not dye without paying for his death, so indif­ferent was life to him, as he confirmed his resolu­tion by this Epiphonema: Itaque nisi empta nece mo­ [...]i mihi Athenis non licuit. What should I speake of [...] Publicola, whose moderation in the ebbe of fortune, and surplusage of miseries, made him more admired, then hated. The equall temper of Ru­tilli [...]s, the exceeding modesty of L. Quintius, the graue and serious respect of Fabius Maximus, the temperate [Page 13] deliberation of Marcellus, and the admirable gouern­ment of Tiberius Gracchus; the wi [...] staidnesse of Me­tellus, and the discreete patience of Ma [...]cus Bibulu [...]. We vse to be more excited to goodnesse by examples then Precepts, and such instances in Histories are not a little perswasiue, representing to our eyes the diuers obiects of Piety in C [...]riolanus, of Iustice in Aristides, of Prudence in Cleobul [...]: and to be briefe of all ver­tues so well practised by Pagans, as they may well de­serue an imitation by Christians.

To proceede now to the Discourse it selfe; I allow of a copious phrase in Historie: For contraction of sentences doth oftimes contract the sence, or at least makes the Subiect lesse intelligible: Cornelius Tac: see­med to affect an intricate kind of writing, yet his Ar­gument in it selfe so copious might modestly Apolo­gize his succinctnesse; approuing Tullies opinion, where he propounds, what errors are most subiect to Taxing in such Discourses - Titio sum etiam est si nimi­um apparatis v [...]rbis compositum, aut nimium longum est: Taxing in the one Singularity, commending in the other Breuity: 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 S [...]ile best seru [...] an History. & commoditas orationis: But these tend rather to Rhe­toricall Narrations, then Hystoricall Discriptions: Tacitus is to be preferred before the most, [...] a di­lated compendiary of many declined States, disvnited Prouinces: shewing the vices of the time, where it was dangerous to be V [...]rtuous, and [...] Innocence tasted the sharpest censure: what g [...]rbe best [...] with the state of that [...]me, describing the [...] Tongue - Facundam i [...]micitijs, more partiall then Time-obser­uers. Where Amici Curi [...], were Parasiti Curi [...]: The Courts friends, the Courts Popingayes; Heere hee shewes a great Man rising, and his fall as suddaine as his erection: The immeritorious in election for grea­test [Page 14] honours, and the vertuous depressed, because they will not mount by sinister meanes. There a Prince that shewed great testimonies of his approued vertues, so long as he was subi [...]ct, but raised to an vnexpected height he seconded this Conclusion: - an ill Prince spoiled a good Subiect: so was Galba: Omnium consensu capax Imperij, nisi imperasset: 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 inferior ranke, rather to liue retired, then to purchase eminence in place by seruile meanes. But ofDiuersity of affections. all the diuers affections of Princes, either well or ill disposed, minister no little delight to the Iudicious Reader: Here o [...]e so popularly affected, as he had the tricke to bind his Subiects to alleageance by a natiue insinuation, such was Augustus, Antonius Pius, Septi­mus Seuerus; one whereof seemed rather to affect po­pular satisfaction then his owne, subiecting (as he himfelfe professed) his entirest thoughts to propagate his Countries glory: Anton: Clemency, was the chaine that vnited and combined (in a knot inviolable) the hearts of the Romanes to him, publiquely prote­sting: Hee had rather saue one Citizen, then destroy a thou­sand enemi [...]s. But Seuerus was loued (which seemes no lesse admirable) for that which engenders, for most part, greatest occasion of offence, and that was Seue­rity; Being no lesse exact in punishing his friends then enemies. But to reade ouer the life of Scilla, we shall see an opposition in his Nature. None that ere did more good to his friends, or more harme to his ene­mies: Nay, euen in Brothers (deriued from one Stem) discrepant natures; Titus, the loue and darling of Man-kind, Domitian a professed foe to all Man-kind; the one banishing Parasites his Pallace, the other a persecutor of flyes: what more delightfull Subiect can be imagined, then to conuerse (and that without perill) of the dangerous euents of warre? of the di­uers [Page 15] dispositions of Princes, raisings and razings of Empires: Some shaken by the vi [...]iousnesse of the peo­ple which inhabite them, being so long secure, till ruine impose a periode to their security: Some by (ci­uill and intestine Factions) making their deerest Coun­trie the sad Spectator of their Funerals, their entirest friends, their prof [...]ssed foes; and the argument of loue and amity, the ground of ciuill dissentions: The cause whereof (for most part) proceeds from a continued peace, for retirednesse from forraigne affaires, make vs bent to prosecute Managements d [...]mesticke, and the ouer-flow of successe (purchased by peace) makes men more capable of iniuries, euen to their best friends. This was the reason moued Athens to erect places of Martiall exercises (euen in peace) That so the youths being daily invred to such exercises, might em­ploy their strengths in them, and not in ciuill Commo­tions. This we haue by relation of Histories, which so manageth affaires of State, as I am of that Sages opinion who auerred: That no man could be an expe­rienc'tHow studious the Romanes were of Histo­ [...]ies. Statist, that was not initiated in the reading of Histories, which he confirmes with reasons no lesse authenticke, calling them the aptest and exquisitest di­rections that can attend man, either in publique or priuate affaires, at home or abroad. Diuerse therefore of our famous Senatours in Rome, haue employed th [...]ir times in these Studies, as Salust, whose wel­couch'd Stile, succinct Sentences, and purenesse of W [...]iting, may a [...]rogate, if not the chiefest place, yet to be inserted amongst the chiefest: Varr [...] one of repu­ted esteeme, and of ample possessions, tooke in ha [...]d the like taske, to illustrate his Natiue Tongue not one­ly, with apt and accomodate phrases, but likewise to compile the memorable acts of the Romanes, and to reduce them into an exact order, to excite his Coun­trimen, by perusing the valiant attempts of their An­cestours: Eorum gloria in [...]lammare ad eandem virtutis ex­ercitationem [Page 16] [...]: To be in [...]lamed and prouo­k [...]. by t [...]ir [...] and glory [...], to imitate th [...] [...]n th [...] lik [...]: A [...] there is nothing cer [...]ainely that [...] m [...]re [...] impr [...]ssion in a resolued minde, th [...]n th [...] [...]port of [...]ormer exploits; Hearing this man [...], and vigilant [...], to contemne all [...], oppose himselfe to [...]ll dangers, whereby he [...]ght [...] some-thing [...]orthy memory: Ano­th [...]r (sustai [...]ing [...] labours) to purc [...]ase him­s [...]lfe but a little [...]lory. This man subiected to Sea­wrackes, exposed to the mercy of the [...], enuiro­ [...]ed and hemmed in by emin [...]nt danger [...], y [...]t modera­ting his passions, armes himselfe against th [...] perils of Se [...], aduerse wi [...]ds, the menaces of ruine, with reso­lution [...]o endure the worst of fates, euer meditating of that motiue to patience:

These obseruations, are receipts, or cordials against the maladies of Fortune: A man thus resolued cannot be [...] a P [...]ince, for hee gouernes a Dominion [...], an Empire more imperious, a Di­a [...]hy, o [...] Monarchy rather: hauing disconsorting affe­ctions, euer laying Siege and Battry to the pallace of the [...]. [...]hich moued Plutarch in his Morals defini­ [...] to con [...]lude: That he who mod [...]rated his affections [...], but hee that neuer past the bound [...] and [...] of temp [...]rate motiues, nor felt the deluding enforce­ments o [...] [...] [...]im, was wholy vertuous: But the Mo [...]als p [...]oposition was better then his conclusi­on: [...] mortall (since the staine of his Originall Puri [...]) co [...]ld [...] subsist so secure, or remai [...]e so vn­moueabl [...], as neuer to be engage [...] to perturbations, the [...] attendants of [...].

In this first entrance to my Discourse, hauing spo­ [...] some-thing in generall, of the vse and fruit of [Page 17] Hystory: hauing by an (equall diameter) determinedDIuision of Histories, Di­uine, Discu [...] ­siue, Morall, Physicke, or mixt. the proper place and center at which such Historicall relations ought to tend: I will descend to the diuision of Histories, which may properly branch themselues into—Diuine, Discursiue, Morall, Physicke, or Mixt.

For Diuine, 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 poise in the scale of euery Iudicious Rea­der, when hee seeth Morall Discourse so well forte­fied, as by the pillar of Truth: Albeit I approue of He­siods In Noct. & Di [...]. words. Fabulous Relations should not, nor ought they to be authorised by Holy Writings: It was a Pagans obser­uation, and worthy ours: So should our prophane Pamphleters, restraine their libidinous writings more, and either write that which should propagate themselues a generall reputation, without derogati­on to the sacred Writings of the Almighty, or silenceNot to mix [...] Sacred with prophane. Vid. Lypsium in prescript: in lib. de const. their workes; least they should depraue many, for a priuate reward, or pedling gaine: More I insist vpon this, because too many haue I knowne steeped in this promiscuous Subiect, well read in Scripture, to wrest them, otherwise Babes and Sucklings, for they can­not reach to the depth of such Mysteries, but onely touch them to corrupt them: But their Cymerian Corrupters of Scripture. Cloude, when it shall be dispersed, aud the Raies of a reasonable vnderstanding to them exhibited: They will repent them (I feare it not) and heauens grant that re­pentance, be not like the after-raine, out of season of their prophaner mixtures. O let them turne their eye of consideratiō (whosoeuer they be) to the misera­ble end of Lucian, Cleand: Metrodoras, whose disastrous fals answered their blasphemous risings, contemning the sacred Writ of Heauen, and prostituting their la­bours [Page 18] to the merited censure of confusion: But too much of them. Times are not so easy to be wained from their habite of errour, or induced to a course of more Sanctimony: Lampes and Oilely Studies were made fruitlesse at Epictetus death, his Lanthorne hung vp, (as a Monument of his vertues) made a deeper impression in his Schollers, then all our Mo [...]iues, Pre­cepts, or Examples can [...]o in ours: that Age was more apprehensiue of Good, thi [...] of Ill.

Now to our Discursiue Histo [...]ies. Many discourseDiscu [...]siue Histories. without matter, onely descanting vpon idle Theames: more obserued for their idlenesse, then for any Subiect wher [...]on they entreate: Such be foolish Phantastickes that spend their Oile vpon vnnecessary Subiects. I haue apprehended many of this vaine, but they shall be namelesse, talking of strange Horse-races, such as their barra [...]ne Muse neuer conceiued: others of Fabu­lous Histories, neuer found out by that Arch-Artist Nature, whence they deriued their foundation; for such, I passe vntouched, being such as they hardly con­ceiue their owne writings.

Discursiue Histories, are either true or feygned: IfDiuision of Disc [...]rsiue Hi­stories. true, they comprehend in them a certaine ground, not onely forti [...]ied by a reasonable production, but also by the authority of such, whose Authentiquest la­bours claime to themselues, a kinde of Authority without further proofe: Such wee reade to be the La­bours of Cornel: T [...]c: Tit: Liu: Trogus Pompeius, and many others, whose Subiect confirme their authority: Being such as repres [...]nt the diuerse euents of things done, by Histori [...]all Relation, and Ocular presentati­on: For diuers of those worthy Historiographers haue bene interrested euen in such probable, and generally allowed discourses by personall presence, in the ma­nagementFaithfull Hi­storians. of such affaires: as Commineus of all Histo­ries (amongst our Moderne) most approueable, being an eye witnesse of what he writ. But in ample [Page 19] tearmes to explaine what the condition of an Histo­rian is, let mee in briefe, yet materiall words ex­presse what he meanes: Not such as inueigh against [...] Hi­storian, and the Sycophant Historian. States, or politique Gouernments, for such are rather Satyrists, then Historians; nor such as personate the entire acts of a Marti [...]list, by assentatiue tearmes, which are such as insinuate themselues by a glossing Stile to win the affection of their Patron; lesse to be borne with be these, then the other, subiecting the free vse of Historie to a Parasite and Oylie tongue: which moued Alexander so exceedingly against Ari­stobulus, as that on a time, hearing his owne Actes de­blazoned farre aboue truth, he commanded his la­bours should be throwne ouer Boord: saying; Hee was almost induced to throw Aristobulus after: A Caueat ve­ry nece [...]sary for all clawing Par [...]sites that make their Pen Mer [...]enary, and therefore as may be inferred vpon their workes, dare not vnrip the vitiousnesse of times, least by vnbosoming Truth, they should incurre the offence of some person, to whom their labours are ingaged, their fortunes subiected, and their endea­uours partially deuoted. Plato banished all Poets Athens: But a fauourable Glosse would restaine that Ostracisme, onely to peculiar wits (petulant I meane) such as the Prince of Sparta prescribed his well-go­uernedHiero & L [...]rna. Citty, for presenting some obscoene verses to his Queene: But I wonder why Plato excluded not these Historians, since their Labours were prostitute (like the publique Strumpet) for gaine, making their Wr [...]tings to the opinion & imitation of that Scarabee of History, who being demanded why he wrote not truth of such a Prince; replyed: Viuit, quis veralice [...]? His life kept him in a [...]e, he durst not expresse his vi­ces to the quicke, lea [...]t he should bite too much. In­deed I must acknowledge there should be a reuerend and modest concealing of such Personages in crimi­nall causes, so the bounds of the History can admit it. [Page 20] And sometimes a Natiue pusillanimity restraines vs toA mod [...]st cau­tion for all Historians. speake that which we know, because silence (as the wise Sage said) neuer occasioned so great offence as speech. And, Veritas odium parit, is a Motto for these daies too probable, too well authorised; where sinnes go 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? Sur [...] such tyraniz [...]ng Subiects, or Obiects ra­ther of feare, must needs be terrible to the poore Hi­storian: He cannot shew Iulus Canius spirit, spit in the face of [...]anny: Hating by a modest Silence to Pam­per vice, though reprehension cost him a gage, hee could redeeme with nothing saue life: Such was that Cordus (the Romane Historian) who for speaking truth, was censured vnworthily.

But if Princes or Potentates should exactly ob­serueThe commen­dation of a sincere Histo­rian. the courses and reuolutions of times, the subse­quent degrees of ruine and deposition (vices Apolo­gized) they would commend such an Historian (and no lesse desertfully) who emploieth his Time, wasteth his Oile, and macerates himselfe in the scrutine of true Relations, by conferring Histories together, and with a Iudicious approbation, or electing power, extract whatsoeuer may seeme most probable and authen­ticke.

Many worthy Statists haue desired, and in them­selues no lesse deserued (though perhaps some little sparke of vaine-glory may seeme to appeare in them) to haue their memorable acts recorded: as Cicero his withstanding Catyline, Cato his opposing Caesar, Solon his Pysistratus, and Demosthenes his Philip: their acts re­count [...]d, and committed to memory, induce others to the like attempts; and like a coole Arbour to a weari­ed passenger, yeelds no lesse delight to themselues, which Persius seemes couertly to shadow in his first Satyre: Et pulchrum est digito monstrari & dicier hic est. [Page 21] This finger is History, which truly demonstrates the life of the person, characters his vertues, or vices; dis­posing euery particular member, and branch of his discourse in such an exact methode, that it res [...]mbles a faire beautifull building, which yet deserues more commendations for the contriuement, then the out­ward and garish Garnishment. Edes (opera sunt) quae si culte extruantur, mi [...]us restat, si minus sumptuose. True, Bookes Historicall haue no better beauty (nor indeed can they) then an apt and methodicall disposicion: other accomplements are superfluous, resembling some of our works now and then published, with faire and beautifull frontispices, as if some worthy conuei­ances (rare buildings of A [...]t and Nature) were within so comely portalles. But alasse! looke inward, nought but rubbish, and refuse of some old building, vnhand­somly repaired, or some frothy inuention, not worth halfe so much cost: These should feare (as the Philo­sopherFruitlesse la­bours. told the Mindians) least their whole labours should flie out at their gate, hauing their gate so pro­mising, their labour so immeriting: But such as goe od▪prelum tanquam ad prelium, (for so indeed they doe) furnish themselues aforehand with exactest labours to stand in defiance against the spirit of detraction: for we cannot fortifie our workes against all Assa [...]lants: some beeing addicted to carpe, because long cu­stome hath consirmed 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 we should be as carefull and prouident in bringing vp, as the Father ouer his childe: so oftentimes they play the Vipers with vs, they murder vs in our name & reputa­tion, much disparraging their parents, being priselesse and therefore vnfit for presse: nay, they do more, they oftentimes asperse an imputation vpon her that should [Page 22] bee no lesse deere (if not more) vnto vs, then ourL [...]centious [...]. selues: our Countrey, making her floury bosome a nourisher of [...]ruitlesse labours, a scale to licentious Libel [...], or Brothell rather of lasciuious measures. And how shall we make answere for so many motiues to lust, so diuers inforcements to inordinate affectons, and so temporizing subiects in humoring great ones, and soothing vice in her Maiesty. Debemur morti nos nostra (que): Where our workes must abide scanning, and that by a iudicious censurer, one that can vnrip the se­cretest of imagination, and knowes the Bent of our purposes.

Thus much I haue writ briefly (by way of infe­rence) to caution such as by their labours ere [...]t a Throne for impiety to sit in: these Humor-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, layingThe Satyricall Historian. it open too much: and though acts should be related, as they were done: yet if the circumstances may seeme any way detractiue to some person, or stat [...], they are better silenced, (if it may stand wi [...]h the body of the History,) then discouer [...]. I haue 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 neerer then need was, his breath was noysome. These, and such like imper­ti [...]ent [...] this hu [...]or in the seditious and fact [...]ous Wri­te [...]s of our time. circumstances, are so friuolous, that they imply a defect of iudgement in the Authour, to insert such idle, and immateriall ambages in a History of conse­quence. But the [...]e are far from those Historio-mastixes [Page 23] of our time, some whereof personate the wrongs of a Noble Ancestor to his lineall successour, mouing him to r [...]uenge: this is one of the Furies Brands: for you shall neuer see one of this kinde, but a tergo Nemesis, he hath vengeance at his backe, a spleenefull [...] ­on disgorged vpon the best of deserts. And thus he inserts the iniuries: Such a family (well meriting of Prince and Countrey, and euer sound loyall to the State) was vndeser [...]edly censu [...]ed by the [...] suggestions of such, and such; whose suggestions are (as yet) vnreuenged, but the heauens are iust. What motiues more enforcing to ciuill commotion? Iniu­riesA true Apho­risme. ript vp, haue oftentimes hazarded states: and there was neuer any People, Nation or Gouernment, which haue not from time to time had one of these. Thersi­tes, as deformed in minde as body▪ (for so Homer cha­racters him) was euer kindling the [...]lame of ciuil com­bustion betwixt Achilles and Agamemnon at the siege of Troy, about the rape of Briseis, euer harping vpon that string to set them together by the eares.

Why Achilles should yru sustaine so great reproach, that haue engaged your selfe for Agamemnon, and his brothers glory? Be all your hopefull serui [...]es, your valiant exploits, y [...]ur incomparable a [...]chieuements, so rewarded? Hath A­gamemnon no place for valour? no r [...]gard to honour? Why then desist Achilles, embarke your selfe for Greece, and le [...]ue this braue Champion to himselfe and his fortunes, your merits (being gone) will be better esteemed: you had but one prize, (and that prize vnworthy 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 deere one, and yet Achilles must loose her, Alasse 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 then a Martiall-knight. Then would he presently moue Agam [...]mnon in like [Page 24] sort, in no case to moderate his desires: Why should A­chilles haue so faire a Paramour, and the Prince of Greece want one?

These are poysonous and virulent heads, that sug­gest into the eares of Princes, arguments of reuenge, causes of distrust, motiues of suspition and iealousie: not to profite themselues, but to satisfie the depraued­nesse of their owne natures, intended to nothing but the subuersion of states, the setting at discord vnited Princes: En' pallor! &c.—It was thought, that in that glorious and Christian-like expedition of those memorable Heroes, 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 vnfortunat, yet ne­uer sufficiently praised Heroe) the Duke of Normandie, and the King of France, at variance: an impious andA memorable Christian, and royall expedi­tion. disasterous enmity, being a maine impediment for the hindering a warre, no lesse glorious to Heauen then generally beneficiall to all the world. Some haue im­puted the cause to certaine expostulations betwixt the two Princes, which grew afterwards to words of pub­licke reproach and infamy; vpbraiding each other with diuers insolencies offered by their Countries, one to another. What ere the motiue of this dissention was (how varied soeuer the opinions of Writers beeA mischicuous plot. herein) the braine that contriued it was sure the forge of great impiety, and an irrepairable detriment to the Christians, exposing them to ruine, slaughter, and de­solation.

The like we reade of those two renowned Citties, Sparta and Athens: which two flourishing Common­wealesFactious Hi­storians a­mongst the Ancient. long time liued in vnity, without the least mo­tion of warre: but in fine, reading the workes of a mu­tinous Historian: mutinous indeed; for his factions [Page 25] before, had beene sufficient, without further induce­ments by writing: such bloudy and cruell warres en­sued, as the fire of those intestine combustions was not extinguished with lesse then an vniuersall effusion of bloud. Many more I could produce, euen neere at home, but I must not insist vpon one Argument too long, since I haue entred a spacious and intricate maze, that promiseth entrance enough, if I can (with Ariad [...]es threed) finde a passage to my precipitate ad­uenture.

Thus much haue I spoken of State-snarling Histo­rians, that make their workes like prickes, or goads to the publicke state. I will now proceed with my for­mer diuision of History, and finde in these two ex­treames (Assentation, and State-inuection) a meane to direct vs in the perfect and exact vse of Historicall Narrations: Medio tutissimus ibis; neither too depres­sed,An excellent meane for an Historian to [...]. as if thy labours exprest their maisters pouerty: nor too erected, to intimate thy states security. Thou art too depressed, when with lagging wings thou stoopest to euery base lure, or obiect of affection, ma­king thy inuention a scale to others pleasure, writing nothing lesse then truth, because truth cannot teach thee how to liue. Thou art too erected, when like an e­minent Censor thou taxes the acts of Princes, with such an austere brow, as if thou hadst forgot the disci­pline of History, and w [...]rt transformed to a profest Sa­tyrist; mixing thy I [...]ke with farre more gall then dis­cretion: yet transported with imaginary motiues of selfe-conceit; cares not who be galled, so thou (with Ctesiphon) kicke against the Moiles heeles. For the lat­ter, theres no profession more easie, nor subiect more frequent, nor argument more generall: and as Invenal saith:

[Page 26]For the first, I neuer knew any Discourse worth rea­ding, proceed from so base and ignoble Merchants: They sell their workes by retaile; and hope of a gaine­fullA Flattering Historian. Dedicatory, makes them contemne Methode, Truth, Subiect and all: Irus skrippe is open, relieue but the needy Artist, hee will imitate the Bohemian Curre, fawne on a good suite: shew the proiect of his intendments to him, and protest him, he will insert mo­numentall Characters of honour to grace thee; one­ly bestow thy bounty, and shew not thy selfe vnwor­thy of so fabulous an Attendant: His inuention is tied to his Benefactors: then dries the source of his fancy, when they restraine the spring of their bounty. These two sorts (as not worthy an Historicall Title) haue I proscribed the bounds of my discourse: if betwixt such two dangerous shelues, I can finde a retired harbour for the truly named Historian to breath himselfe in, I haue attained my wished expectance. The meane be­twixt these two, giues vs obseruation of noting causes and effects, how produced, and how ended: counsels and successes, how intended, how administred: then he proceeds further, making resemblance betwixt nature and nature, state and state, the gouernment of this pro­uince and of that: then differences of actions & euent: some wisely carried, bearing themselues faire, and promising a compleat satisfaction to the vndertaker: yet what opposition betwixt the end and beginning, ruine being the period, or extreme of his hopes. Many such opposite Conuersions, or Catastrophes rather, may we daily see in the managements of warres: who more happy in his Countries protection, and who more suc­cessiue in his prosecution, then Pompey the great in his first entrance to martiall exploits? Yea, (as Caesar ac­knowledged himselfe) he had conquered, if he hadVicisses, si te vi­cisse, cognouisses. knowne when he had conquered: yet in euent, whose designes more vnhappy? Not onely depriued of the bent of his hopes, proscribed (as it were) his natiue [Page 27] Countrey, and enforced to begge a poore sepulchre in a forraine Countrey: but euen most oppressed by their cruelty, whose seruice, vnder his owne Banner, had beene rewarded royally. Such discourses often moueMouing Histo­rians. in men a commiseration, in seeing Vertue so ill guer­doned, and Vice (vnder a counterfeit garbe) of Inno­cence receiue an immerited reward: And this certain­ly haue most Historians euer obserued in their wri­tings: so liuely to expresse the disasters of deseruing men, that their relations might moue a kinde of sensi­ble pitty and remorce in the peruser, which is best ex­emplified by circumstances: for the time, place, cause, and person, with other necessary adiuncts, do (for the most part) lay a more open and smooth Tract to the inforcement of passion. Lucan, that heroicke Histori­an, brings forth Cornelia sitting vpon the shore, where her husband tooke his last farewel of her: where (like another Niobe) she makes a Limbeck of her eyes, and descants her owne calamity, oft wishing his returne; and when depriued of his sight, yet the eye of her ima­gination represents a new obiect of sorrow. Here, in such royall compositions, and funerall conclusions, he describes the diuersity of nature, in two contrary sub­iects: a seruant faithfull, sitting ore the headlesse trunkHow to moue passion, and by what circum­stances. of his vnhappy mnister: a slaue as vngratefull, haling his once well-esteemed Lord and Generall to the fa­tall shore: where (without taste of remorce, remem­brance of former merits, or regard of Countries loue) he depriues him of life. Such Tragicke occurrents re­quire their Emphasis, and a kinde of vn-vsuall 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 pit­tifullLiuely impres­sions of re­morce drawne from the son towards the father. stories haue strange effects, if amply described: For warriers themselues in the report of their owne mis-fortunes (of all men most pittilesse) haue hardly contained themselues from teares: Aeneas, wept [Page 28] to see the ruines of his Countrey so liuely depictured in Didoes Hall: But when he beheld his poore father Anchises hanging on his owne shoulders (hauing no other refuge in so imminent disasters,) Suspiria mittit, hee could weepe no longer: for teares mitti­gate griefe; but with a passionate silencing of his miseries, treasured his vn-vtterable woes in the bale­full centre of his heart.

Xerxes, when of a populous Army, as euer passed out of Asia, he had but so many left as might attend him in a poore Cocke-boat, to accompany him in his distressed expedition, the History mentions, that he wept bitterly; enstiling himselfe, The rui [...]e of his Coun­trey, the slaughter of many resolute Souldiers. Nay, Titus himselfe, the flower of all the Roman Emperours, in the sacke and subuersion of that once glorious Citty Ieru­salem, is said to weepe exceedingly, beholding so many lamentable obiects of pitty (dead carkasses lying in o­pen ditches) so as not able to containe himselfe, hee cryed out, I call Hea [...]en to witnesse, I am not the cause of this Peoples slaughter. Many such representments we haue very vsuall in Histories, motiue for their passion, and memorable for their end, proceeding from the iust iudgment of God, to caution others by their miserable fals. There is another propriety in a History, which should be obserued: and that is a Iudicious collation,Comparing of Histories ve [...]y necessary. 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 materall points, as original foundations of Cities, succession of Princes miscited, the sites of Countries (an obseruance more Geographical) ill-disposed, with many other er­rors, which are grounded vpon no other reason, then the want of conferring such Histories together, as tend to the present subiect we haue in hand. Nay were it not much thinke you, now to proue directly, that the very [Page 29] Computation of yeares which they deriued from theirA differenc [...] amongst the Pagans in their Compu­tation of yea [...]es. ancient Kalender, and which they obserued as Cere­monially and Religiously (in their kind) as wee the yeares from CHRISTS Incarnation, was very defe­ctiue amo [...]gst themselues? And yet this is easily done: For their opinions about their Olimpiads in Greece, forVid. Aul. Gell. & Laert. the time of their Erection are diuerse: The foundati­on of Rome as vncertaine, since the founder himselfe is not as yet generally agreed of, for the diuers relati­ons of Numitor and Amul [...]is, Romulus and Remus, with their mother Rhe [...], o [...] Ilia, (as some wil haue it) make vp a laborinth of themselues without further confusion: But to inferte the strange conueyance (or Apotheosis) of Romulus: suddainely vanished forth of their sight, and by the testimony of Iulius Proculus, transplanted to some other place of more eminence; hardly de­serues the credite o [...] an Historian: Yet some there be which shew more fauour 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 Achilles Tombe, or Monument in Sy­geum, Theseus in Athens, Aiax in the Rhetian Shore, and Alcides Reliques in Oëta: Reade but ouer the Ro­mane Annals, and you shall find the discordancies of Historians in these computations of times to be great: As especially the destruction of Troy, confoun­ding the seuerall times of Troies Sacking, missing their accompt from Laomedon to the succession of Priam. But I haue touched the errour enough, let vs now descend to the preuention of it.

Before we take in hand any Discourse we must al­waiesTranscripti­ons oft-times vncertaine & defectiue. meditate of the meanes, ere we can attaine the end: Which end is soonest atchieued, when we ad­dresse our selues for such Subiects (as haue bene in our [...]ime) wherein we may receiue instruction, by some [Page 30] that haue bene interrested in those affaires, of farre more certainety then any Transcription. But inten­ding our Studies to any Forraine R [...]lation (whereof it may be we haue some one Record) I would not de­pend vpon the Antiquity of the Record (for we haue many antient Fables) but recollect my selfe and ex­amine the probability, whether such particulars are like to be are resemblance of truth or no: And herein we imitate the Antientest and best Authorized Histo­rians that euer wrot.

Valerius Maximus had recours [...], not onely to Ro­mane Annals (which were kept with great care) but he vsed to conferre with such as had any Breuiats of the Romane liues in their hands: Comparing thē together, that he might cull and chuse out from the best Au­thours (as himselfe witnesseth) such documents, as not onely propogated the glory and pristine height of his Country, but might moue succeding ages to emu­late their vertues.

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

Laertius a worthy Recorder of those famous Sages of Greece; describes his Countries happinesse with great modesty: Whose Sentences may beseeme the grauest Vnderstanding to extract, and vpon oc [...]asion to accommodate to his owne purpos [...]: Here he shewes Spirit in a Philosophers pen, one opposing himselfeThe variety of discourse in Laertius. against a Tyrant; There a Moralist, making yong men fit Sociates for the matur [...]st [...]imes: Here a Cy­nicke contemning the glory of the wo [...]ld, though offered him; There a mery Greeke, laughing at the va­nites of men wholly beso [...]ed and subiected to mun­dane slauery. O what Christian-like maximes, what Diuine conclusions, what solide Arguments, what en­forcing reasons be there included, onely to moue men [Page 31] 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 Diuine approba­tion, and ready to confirme it, if the generall blind­nesse of the time, and their want of further Reuela­tion would admit of their Asser [...]ion.

Thus much for the former branch of my di [...]ision, of Histories True and Authentique: Now I will en­treate of Relations Feigned; yet such as Moralized include an excellent meaning, drained from the vn­corrupted Springs of Hellicon.

All Relations feign [...]d are not to be excluded: forFeigned Rela­tions or Poeti­call Histories. many Poeticall Narrations there be which compre­hend in them a wonderfull sharpenesse of iudgement, pregnancy of Inuention, and a great measure of dis­cretion; of which sort, none more excellent then the workes of Homer, weauing many pretty conceits inHomer an Ex­cellent & He­roicke Poet; shadowed one­ly at, because my Iudicious friend Maister Tho: Heywood, hath taken in hand (by his great industry) to make a Ge­nerall (though Summary) de­scription of all the Poets liues. the web of his History, to make the Subiect it selfe more pleasant: The more I commend him to the rea­ding of the Iudiciously Generous, because I could neuer finde in his Workes any scurrulous Affectation, but prosecuting his Discourse with a modest grauity, as if Nature, that had [...] him of his Corporall sight, had done it, to make the eye of his vnderstan­ding more piercing: For to reade the Maiesty of his Stile, the wel-coucht Fables immixt in his warre be­twixt the Greekes and Troians, may as in a store-house imagine the treasures of all wits to be locked vp in him. Many excellent Histories haue bene deriued from him, as well in Prose as contracted Measures, for his pleasing variety r [...]lisheth more then others, be­cause through all his Workes, he vseth lesse digressi­on then others: And pitty it is, that euery impolish'd hand should haue to do with the Transcription of his Lab [...]urs: grieuing the poore Blind-man with their blindnesse, For who so blind as Buzzard? And if Ste­sychorus [Page 32] was worthily strucke blinde for commenting on U [...]nus beauty, and discommending Hellens forme: much more deserue they an exacter punishment, that dare comment on his eterniz'd labours, who detectedLabours dis­parraged by Translators. Venus lust, and portraied Hellens inconstancy. To pre­scribe in what tongue Histories are to be read, I know their owne garment is most na [...]iue. But such haue beene the di [...]parraging labours of our English Transla­tors, that Romes tongue, and Gr [...]eces Characters, grow as vulgar and common with vs, as the Italian Garbe: so as we seeme beholding to others, both for speech and raiment. I do know some workes are necessary to be translated, being such as expresse the politick states of Realmes, which imparted to the illiterate, often­timesMany illiterat of the exactest iudgement. conferre no little benefite to our Countrey. But other workes there be, which modesty would haue concealed, being Records of the viriousnesse of for­mer times; as the obscene and sensuall conuents, or prostitutions rather, of those mirrors of impi [...]ty, [...]he Roman Emperours, the relation whereof acquaints the depraued too well with such impudence. But because I haue entred into a Catalogue of poeticall Histories, I will proceed further into the m [...]morable, and no lesse ingenious works of Hesyode: much I cannot write of Hystoricall matter in Hesyode; yet what he writ of that subiect, comprehended in it more height and true pro­portion, then any Poet that euer writ. With what ha­zarding danger doth he there delineate the rare Com­bate betweene C [...]ix and Cy [...]nus? now equally poizing their valours (as if nature had made them of that equal power) to the end to leaue the conflict vncertaine. Presently (vpon occasioned aduantage) he 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 euent to some auspicious, genious, or diuine power, fauouring one more then another. Straight, with a new passage, [Page 33] he proceeds to the resolued exploits of Hercules; andHercul [...]s La­bours. with an admirable facility describes his labours. He it was, that by the assisting hand of Iupiter, of whom he descended, slew the Cleonian Lyon, the Erimanthian Boare, the Bull of Marathon, the Lernean Hydra, and the winged Hart: He who purchased no lesse memo­rable Trophies in Hell, then on Earth; haling the three-necked C [...]rberus, and rescuing Pros [...]rpina, (if the supreme powers had not inhibited) from the tyran­nicke hands of infernall Pluto: Discomfiting the Cen­taures, vanquishing Achelous (being his corriuall in the loue of faire Deianeira, the [...], the Cre­mona Giants, the traiterous Nessus, Antheus, Augeas Stables, Apples of Hesperides, Cacus, Busyris, hurling Diomedes to his horses (to quit his own tyranny) free­ing Hesyone from the Whale, sacking Troy in reuenge of the perfidious Laomedon, subduing those inuincible Giants, [...] and Albion, redeeming Orcalia, and Betricia from the captiuity of Gerion: and wearing the Amazon Baldricke, to intimate his victories in those warlicke Prouinces▪

These, and the like, doth Hesyode set downe with that probable coherence, that i [...] the matter it selfe did not imply an impossibility, one would be certainly in­duced to beleeue so concorda [...]t an History. Present­ly he descends to the generation of the Gods, making vp a Genealogy in that distinct order, as the Pagan Gods (for so one hath obserued) were much indebted to him for so wel deriuing their pedigree, which with­out his inuention (perhaps) had laine obscure.

Lucian deserues his place, whose otherwise ill-de­seruing parts, being a profest foe to all diuine adorati­on, purchased him an end as miserable as his propha­nations merited; being deuoured by dogges: yet in this regard we haue propounded our opinion about Historical fictions, I will giue him his dueplace: one of an excellent wit, ripe vnderstanding, and labourious [Page 34] withall, to finde out the ancient Manuscript [...], and Re­cords of authorized Histories: yet, foras [...]uch as his [...]itings are interlarded now [...]nd then with inuectiue sp [...]ches against the Coelestiall powers, arguing too much of Natures power, too little of the Soueraigne of Natur [...]. I would haue the Generous Reader to prepare himselfe in the perusall of such Discourses, as Calypso instructed Vlysses against the Syrens Inchaunt­ments, thus inuiting him:

Of these Inchauntments did Calypso fore-warne U­lysses with this preparation, that he should command his Assotiates in his Ship, to binde him, when he ap­proached neere those fatall Harmonists, and to stoppe their eares, least they should be made a prey to their cr [...]elty. So must euery one prepare himselfe in such Syren-discourses The liberty of these times, per­swades some too easily to Lucian [...] Arguments; and [Page 35] those which (in feare of diuine power) dare not deny the Omnipotencie of the Immort [...]ll Power in word, yet their prophane couuersation implies an absolute Apostasi [...] in them in their workes. I wish these di­grssions were not needfull: for then I might more di­rectly proceed in my discourse, which the depraued­nesse of times will in no case suffer.

But in these feigned Histories I wholly exclude allFeigned Hi­sto [...]ies appro­ued tending to instruction. ribaldry, times themselues haue instruction sufficient for obscene subiects, without any further excite­ments: nor can I admit, that those vnprofi [...]able stories of Primalion, Palmerin de Olina, The Knight of the Sunne, Gerilion, with many other fictiue Discourses should be entertained by youth: many of these Relations haue strangely transported diuers well-promising wits into strange amazements; especially such as conceiue more delight in them, then more serious studies. Some we haue heard, that in reading the strange aduentures of Orlando Furios [...], and conueying the very impression of his amorous passion to themselues, would present­ly imitate his distraction, run starke naked, make loue­songs in commendation of their Angelica, put them­selues [...]o intollerable torments to gaine the affection of their supposed mistresses. Others, in imitation of some valiant Knights, haue frequented Desarts, and inhabited Prouinces, ecchoi [...]g in euery place their owne vanities, endorsing their names in barkes of trees, wholly turned Sauag [...], aud vntractable to per­sonate that knight more liuely.

Such Histories I onely allow of (whether in Prose,Such Histories onely merite that name, which yeeld profite with delight. or Verse, for Epickes may be writ in either) as yeeld profit with delight; not subiecting their discourse to obserue some indiscreet humour of the time, for ap­plication, but preuention. Many read, and (in the loos­nesse of their owne liues) make application of the worst vnto themselues; hoping with Herostratus, to be memorable for villany: These are like Spiders, that [Page 36] turne the sweetest and most wholesome [...]lowers to ranke poyson; the discredit of an History, and a gr [...]at strengthner of vice.

Others there be, that transported onely with the de­light and present variety of the History, make History onely (as our Gallants doe their Tobacco) a spender of time: they apply not the fruit or vse 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 bee [...]eigned) I approue of those best that res [...]mble Truth: the neerest according to Flaccus opinion:

For the impossibility of the relation oftentimes ma­keth the subiect more ridiculous: whereas the con­cordancy, or apt connexion of the History (though the maine plot be false) enforceth more attention.

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

Morall Histories be such, as conduce to a ciuill andMorall [...]. morall institution of life or manners; teaching what is to be done, and what auoided. Xenophon in his instru­ction of Cyrus, propounds what reasons should espe­cially induce a morall Historian to speake more of ex­amplary motiues to vertue, then any thing else; Be­cause (saith he) if Cyrus had not beene elected King a­mongst Sheepheards, it may be, he had neuer reigned ouer the Persians: but the very Title, which was giuen him by Rurall Swaines, enforced him to attempt further.

Moral Histories teach men to behaue themselues in all [...]: If imployed in Embassages, Commerce, or any n [...]gotiation whatsoeu [...]r, it directs them how to hazard f [...]irely, beare themselues discreetly, and sup­port the burthen imposed on them stoutly. These kind of stories are the best Nurses, they weane vs from a [Page 37] childish effeminacy, and traine vs in more virile and man-like actions: so as Education is called by the Phylosopher, A second Nature, habituating vs to the kinde of our breding: Morality likewise is called, the Soueraignesse of Education, The squar [...] of human Actions, the best Schoole-mistresse for vnbridled youth, that r [...]straines affections raging, erects our passions too much asswaging, tempers our spirit, and [...] vs to that perfect Symme­trie, Ut expede Herculem, you may know H [...]rcules by his foote, the inward habite by externall appea­rance,

Hence was it that Alexander glorified so much of his Stagyrian Moralist: Achilles of his Phenix: of whom he had receiued so much good, as hee ingeniously ac­knowledged; by Phenix he could both, Bene dicere, & bene agere.

To be briefe, there is no exorbitancie in Nature, which by Morall Narrations hath not beene refor­med: Seneca was naturally coue [...]ous: which dispo­sition, or malady rather, he shrowdes couertly 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 ciuill institution, he could moderate his desire of hauing, e­steeming the treasure of his minde o [...]ely worth pos­sessing. Qui cuncta habet, nec tamen habetur, as Salust obserueth.

The like we reade of Stylpho, a Romane, whom (as Cicero speaketh) was of all other most libidinous, yet by reading of Morall Pr [...]cepts, amplified with graue examples, became most continent. The infirmities of this time are great, and need the hand of an expert Physitian; No Medicine, nor Antidote, more soue­raigne to cure these contagious Vlcers, then Morall Physicke, if the disease be greene, (I meane the dis­eases of the minde:) Wee haue heere Lenitiues to mittigate, if it be old, and growne to a [...], a very [Page 38] Gangrene, griefes insensible, being most incurable? We haue Corrasiues to eate away all those corruptThe praise of Morall Hist. tetters that hinder the cure. This is a [...]ingular 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 pretious then the other. O Diuine Art! O secret mystery! The Greekes 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 sinne, an insupportable carriage, & feeling her own strength vnfit 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, captiuated to vnworthy 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 preuent it, falling with blinded eyes: No maruell, that sees thine owne infir­mity, and scornes the direction of others eyes to con­duct thee. Alasse, here be many intricate Mazes, vn­frequented Laborinths, places of imminent perrill, and thou art blind: no suspect of any Strata geme or Ambush doth possesse thee, thou promisest thy selfe most security, when most beleagred with perill.

It was no meruail [...] if miserable Oedipus, runne into Brakes and Bri [...]rs, when his erring feete were guided by two bli [...]d eyes? Here be many seducements: And as in the Pagan time, there were more Temples erected in honour to Bacchus and Uenus, then to Iup­piter and Apollo: So for one example of Piety and Religion, wee haue ten of vice and licentiousnesse: [Page 39] Heere the baite o [...] Ambition, hung out and swal­lowed, and like enough by a Gudgion; there the painted Flagge of Vaine-glory, leading a troupe of vices in a Ring-dance: Heere a Silken Foole wel­esteemedA Caution for your silken Gallant.—for—Nasci a Principibus fortuitum est—Hee was borne rich: There a ragged Sage descanting on Morall precepts, but n [...]ither garded nor regarded. Heere Rosa mundi, the Rose of worlds vanity, set on a splay-foote, making Art a couer for Natures deformity: There a plumpe of Feathers dangling on a Head more light then Feathers, to make Platoes na­kedPlatoes defini­tion. definition of man true—Homo est Animal Bipes, implune: No matter for reason: They would bee loath to be indued with more then is needefull for a phan­tasticke head—An ordinary portion of reason will serue an Ordina [...]y. O that these poiselesse Braines would but imploy their time in Morall Discourses, what excellent matter might they find out worthy the iudicious approbation of refined Wits.

It is obserued that in Athens, and in Rome also, yong Gentlemen were to bee imploied in preferring some Law in behalfe of the people: or Patronizing such as were poore, and destitute of succour in them­selues: Patronizing such, and protecting them in pub­licke defence of their cause, or the like.

This was the first step of preferment vnto Cicero, defending Roscius against Scilla: and that with such vehemency, as generally hee was approued for his seriousnesse in a poore Actors cause. And sure generous mindes cannot be better expressed then in actions of this nature, whereby they may not onely secure themselues and their entirest affections from the friuolent assaults of irregular perturbations; but also purchase vnto him, the generall loue and fa­uour of such as obserue their disposition, and ad­mire it.

By Morall reading wee vse to bee most excited to [Page 40] these compassionate effects: exampled in them whomThe fruite of Morall rea­ding. we deseruedly think of, and earnestly couet to imitate: Not taxing them vnworthily, nor commenting other­wise of their vertues, then as we receiue by Tran­scription from others. Former Ages (in this kinde) haue beene more charitable, but the apprehension of our owne defects makes vs suspectfull of others. As in Rome, if the Pisoes be Frugall, they are censured Par­cimonius; if the Met [...]lli Religious, they are taxed Su­perstitious; if the Appij Popular, they are termed Am­bitious; if the Manlij Austere, they are stiled Ty­rannous; if the Lelij Wise, they are Curious; the Pub­lic [...]le Aspiring, if Courteous. Many such Mam [...] ­threpts we haue, that censure others actions to the worst, making their owne depraued iudgements, cen­sors of others vertues. But Morall Precepts would remedy this obliquity, and will vs first be Maisters of our owne Aff [...]ctions, ere wee fish in the troubled wa­ters of other mens errours: But this Age confirmes the Ass [...]rtion of a wise Romane Senatour: Suam cu [...]us (que) culpam Authores ad causam tranferunt: Or, which Seneca writes in his Epistle to his friend Lucil: Many (saith he) my frierd Lucilius commit faults in Rome, but will in n [...] case heare that they committed them: the Aedile laies blame vpon the Questor, the Questor on the Praetor, the Praetor on the Consul, the Consul on the Censor, the Censor on the [...].

Apollogizing and defending errours, the greatest cherisher of them: For how is it possible we should am [...]nd them, that will not confesse we did commit them? But acknowledgement is a precedent dire­ct [...]sse to reformation, according to the Traged: word [...]: Quem paenitet fecisse pene est innocens. In Morall [...]. Studies much excellent matter may be chose out of that mirrour 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 [Page 41] and smother his passions, with a wise ouer­maistring of [...]is affe [...]tions; and how to redresse the multiplicity of Iniuries by taking oportunity by the fore-top. But euen old men likewise, such as haue 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, then they in the reuolution of times had seene: But seeing instructi­ons rare to them, and vnaccustomed precepts fit for the maturest head to plod on, they then confesse that their old age hath bene a dotage, verefying—Addis­cendo These times, old in yeares, but yong in houres. se semper senescere: Reaping more profite by o [...]e Morall Precept, then a whole yeares Experience in worldly affaires.

Many old men we haue (that can discourse of the change of Princes,) whose Gray-haires be as so ma­ny records of what they haue seene: But alasse, confer with them of true Morall experience, and you shall finde them as yong in houres, as old in yeares: Their knowledge in the Infancy, though their one foote in the graue, ready to bid adiew to the world, when they are halfe scarcely erudiated in the preuentiue sleights of this world: A simple age, when we haue no other testimony that we haue liued long, saue onely our Gray-haires, and yet the generall ignorance pleades pardon: None so generous as those which know the least, none of a ranked spirit, that wil cast the [...]ie of a iu­dicious applause, vpon the meriting labors of any man.

It is recorded, that Licinius, Coleague in the Em­pireThe cause why Learning is contemned. with Constantine the Great (being vncapable of learning himselfe) by reason of the slownesse or bar­rennesse of his vnderstanding, was wont to call lear­ning the very poison and publick plague that infected the Realme: The Romane Historians, haue applyed this vanity of his, rather to his want of iudgement, then any thing else, being not able to comprehend the benefi [...]e of Arts.

[Page 42]The like of Maximiman, who wa [...] d [...]sirous to attaine some extraordinary height in [...]loquence; which when he could not (by reason of his naturall duln [...]sse) at­taine [...]. vnto, hee enuied and maligned others. Many hau [...] we that second these, glorying in their own [...] ig­norance, and making a rediculous spectacle of Lear­ning: as a superficiall ornament to accommodate more to the threed-bare Sophister, then the Generous [...].

I r [...]call to minde the a [...]cient presage vpon all Arts, and the pr [...]iction concurres well with this time: [...] for a Philos [...]pher, and smoake for a Coun­ [...]. It was spoken in the declining age of the Ro­m [...]n Empire, when Vice rode in his foot-cloath, and Vertue (like a poore Iris [...] Lacky) ran at his stirrop. But Morall learning illumines the intellectuall power with a better and cleerer fore-sight; shewing the diffe­rence betweene goodnesse and appearance: for true Morals loue not to garnish their portraitures with shadowes.

The best meanes to distinguish betwixt the igno­rant [...]. and morally instructed, is to put them into their habilliments of [...]ature, send them both forth naked into the world, and their distinct characters will ap­peare more manifest. Alasse, the Moralist cannot dis­course of what the world most affecteth; hee sees the ambitious man rouing at v [...]setlded ends, meaning to ingrosse the whole world to himselfe; he smiles at his illimited desires, and wonders whereto his fond pu [...]poses tend: he considers the euent, [...]re he take in hand the meanes, and hates desire of popular praise, or ostentation, lest he should grow proud by [...]orraigne obseruances: he entertaines death with a cheerefullTo whom death is not terrible. brow. Terror of death is not terrible to one prepared for her ere she come; alwayes taking her, as one of the necessities of nature, and in [...]uitable, meditating of her, as one—Qui finem vitae extremum inter munera ponit na­turae. [Page 43] These considerations euer [...]ortifie 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.

Agathocles, that tyrant of Syracusa, in all his tyran­ny,An excellent obseruation by a Tyrant. had a good Morall statue to represent to him the I­diome of his mortality; hauing the vpper part of his Image made of Marble, Gold and Iuory, but the feet of Earth, to intimate of how weake and infirme ground, he and his goodly promising person stood. O if we should but reade the choyce variety of Di­uinely composed sentences, comprised in those elabo­rate workes of the ancient Morall Historians: they would moue vs to no lesse apprehension of our owne weaknesse, then if some expert or curious Painter, (Apelles-like) should portray to vs euery part and li­neament of this little man we carry about vs. Morality (saith a good Morall) is mans Anatomy; it shewes e­ueryMorality man [...] Anatomi [...]. part of his body, how composed, how disposed: and prescribes how this excellent composure may be best preserued: It deales not by predominancy of Planets, (as our ponderous burthens of Nature cal­culate,) but by an euen symmetry of Vertues gouer­ning the inferior Spheares, the bodies liniaments. Nor deales it like your phantastike Musitian, that bestowes more charges on the Couer of his Instrument, then the Instrument it selfe: but by the couers debasement, augments the excellency of the Instrument, the diuine faculties of the soule.

But I may seeme to run too farre in this subiect, con­founding Morall History with Philosophy: which though I might defend for Morall Phylosophy, is no­thing else then a globe of Morall precepts drawne from Historicall grounds; yet to make mine own pas­sage mo [...] smooth, I will descend to the next branch of History, intituled Physicall.

[Page 44]Histories Physicall, be especially conuersant in the search of the natures of things: approuing that opi­nion of the Phylosopher: Ea Physica sunt, quae Natur as rerum explorare solent: whether things animate or in­animate; in liuing Creatures, as in the search of Beasts, Birds, Serpents, and the like; and of ve­getiue Bodies, as Plants: In [...]reatures inanimate, as in the sc [...]utiny of Me [...]als, the distinct natures of stones, &c. Wi [...]h which discourses the greatest Empe­rours haue beene delighted. Those admirall workesThe seuerall kindes of phy­sicall obserua­tions. of Plinie, Aristotle, and Aelian, with many others, are sufficient to erudiate the most incapable in these re­lations: where they doe, Abdita rerum rimari. Here describing the very intimate natures of Beasts, the rar [...] and incredible vertues of Plants, and Hearbs, the virulent natures of Serpents, and the attractiue pow­ersThese two beasts, in na­ture & feature different, by one peculiar Nation (Ae­gypt) equally [...]euerenced, of Stones, Mettals, and the like. The Crocodile, a most dang [...]rous beast, ( [...]requenting the Riuer Nyl [...]s) 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 set downe the seuerall properties of all, or of most sorts of Beasts, would craue an ample Volumne of it selfe: I will onely (as in my former discourse) ex­presse the vse of Naturall Histories, and to what per­sons most accommodate.

We reade of diuers most famous Princes and Mo­narchs to haue applied their mindes to the search of these studies: Alexander (otherwise most potent inWhat princes best assected these studies. Armes, and sole commander of the world) addicted his minde to the scrutiny of these rarieties: as may ap­peare most manifestly by his letter (at this day extant) to his maister Aristotle, containing the strange pro­portions of beasts, with their natures; which during his Indian warre, he had obserued: describing the strange and vnheard of qualites of the [...] Aspi [...]kes, Cerasts, and many other kindes of Serpents, continualy [Page 45] infesting his Army; professing (as he himselfe writeth) he found more difficulty in discomfiting beasts, then subduing men: for the one sort assaulted him when his Troopes were well disposed, cheerefull, and full of alacrity: but the other inuaded him by night. Ita vt ne in castris quidem nimium ocij detur: Alwayes was this puissant Prince much giuen to see the naturall qualities of beasts, so as no present could bee more gratefull, or acceptable to him, then some strangely natured sauage, making excellent vse of this Theo­ry, appropriated to the natures of men: which vp­on all occasions (with singular delight) hee vsed to apply vnto his Nobles disposition, which attended him.

Those noble and couragious Dogges, which were sentCouragïous Dogges. him by the Kings of Albany, much contented him: They would not stirre at small beastes, disdaining them (as it were) in the ouer-flow of their cou­rage, contemning any encounter but with Lyons, and Elephants. This magnanimity could the valiant Emperour apply well enough to himselfe: Hee saw his owne nature delineated, or charactred (as it were) in their courage, Scorning to triumph on the conquered, solacing him euer with this ex­treame, yet cheerefull comfort: Sup [...]rest sperare sa­lutem.

The like desire of exploring the naturall proper­ties of beastes, possessed S [...]torius: one no lesse prouident, to shelter himselfe in aduersity, then in all his actions continent, amidst his prosperity; who after his regiment in Spaine, erected many places for ta­ming of wild beasts, delighting exceedingly to see the aptnesse of some ioyned with a certaine naturall flex­ibility, and the backwardnesse of others, retaining euer a certaine semblance of their first Nature, soNatures of Beasts. d [...]epely imprinted, as difficultly remoued. Nay what Stratagems vsed he (by his white Har [...]) to support [Page 46] and gouerne the whole Fabrique of his declining [...] Ce [...]ua [...]. Estate: Implying that by his Hinde, or Hart, he recei­ued instructions from Diana, which the people (with such superstition) beleeued, that by his glory he con­quered enuy, enlarging the bounds of his iurisdicti­on, and making his exile the symbole of his renowne, till by the bloudy conspiracy of Perpenna and Antoni­u [...], he was depriued both of Crowne and Life.

Demetrius a worthy Souldiour, and one well meri­ting of his Country, was much inclined to this Study: So as at home, if at any time sequestred from his more serious Affaires, he conceiued exceeding pleasure and delight in the portraying of those beasts he had seene: Excellent he was in the frame of any simillitude, but more diuine in his owne; being of that exact forme, elegant constitution, and sweetely mixt Complexion­Ut â pictoribus, sculptoribus (que) ei similis non potuerit effu­gi: A rare Modell of Nature, when (by Nature) he was imparrale [...]d.

Alcibyades, no lesse deseruing, yet worse censured, was well experimented in the Natures of Beasts, but more in Plants: hauing an hearbe, euen to this dayNatures of Plants. (amongst our Apothecaries) called after his name. Alcybiadon - or the Wilde Buglosse.

And for Mettals, Minerals, or the like. None moreNature [...] of Mines. Plutarch & Suet. accommodated to such Studies then that Soueraigne of Romane hearts Augustus, hearing his Lapidary Dioscorides with especiall delight: So as in time hee was not onely able to distinguish of any Stone, but to describe their Natures: Vsing likewise the Art of Alchemy, more expert in their recalcinations (saith the Romane Historian) then the best Professours of that time, and consequently I may conclude then the gro [...]se Quacke-saluers of our time.

You see it is no disparagement for the Generous,Expedi [...]nt not necessary. or Heroicke Spirit to bee Studied in these Notions: since the peerelesse for Valour, and true R [...]solution [Page 47] haue Dedicated themselues vnto them: yet would I not haue them so besotted, or bewedded, to these Stu­dies, as to forget more important intendments: I con­fesse these are rather to make a man compleate, then exactly necessary, and a superficiall knowledge is suffi­cient for learning of this Nature▪ and well do I ap­proue of that Ornament of Learning (the best lustre to the Schoole of Arts) where he would rather haue a Gentleman superficially seene in all, then profoundly learned in one: Too much retiring to these Studies, accord not with grauity or State, but to discourse (by way of reason) without Sophisticall Argumenting well beseemes the most Generous minds.

It is an happy thing to keepe a meane in wisedome, not to striue (i [...] an ouer-flow of vnderstanding) to out-strip Nature, in the investigation or search of Na­turall things: A little will serue vs in indifferent things, and more it relisheth of discretion, to know when we haue enough; then, with an vnbounded will of affecting knowledge, superstitiously to know more then Nature hath prescribed.

This excesse in desire of knowing, hath beene a contagion, that hath infected and poisoned the matu­re [...]t Studies: especially in things so impertinent, as when the pitch of that they expected was attained; Their knowledge conduced no more to the profite of the Repub: then if with Endymion they had sl [...]pt their time, and passed their life ouer i [...] a fruitlesse silence. It pleaseth the Orator to tearme such a Study—Invitilis mentis agitatio: Sayling in the troubled streame, where a more cleere and calme passage doth shew her selfe. Thus I approue in these Naturall Discourses, a superfi­ciall Discursiue Knowledge, to exclude Ignorance, but no such affectiue height, least in so exquisite a search of Nature, we should show our selues Naturals. Wee say the Generous should be but Mediocrit [...]r Doctus: I need not insist vpon the perswasion, wee haue too [Page 48] many of Iuvenals painted blockes in the way of Lear­ning, that neuer meane to come neerer. So as I may [...] in [...]lyta no­ [...]ine truncus exhibuit. answere, as an Athenian reasoned, what the cause should be why there was such an ebbe of good wits in Athens: because (saith he) they run into the Sub-vrbs, and dwell with Lais.

The best and ripest wits are most subiect to corrup­ting, concording well with the natiue deprauation of these times, where Medeas Rule is made an Axiome, euery one with Lin [...]ius seeing the best, but with blinde Baiard, depriued of the eye of their election.

Too much of them: our Treatise requires a better subiect, then such staines to their Countries fame, and pristine honour, making her complaine, as Rome did in time of old: Eone vos produxi, &c. Is this the fruit of [...]one materna cura se prouexit my long labour, the freight of my race, and the reward of my motherly loue, to bring you vp, and then (like Vipers) to sting me that hath nourished you? Well then, my blessings must bee turned of necessity vnto execrations: and that breast which first nourished you with the milke of comfort, must be the very sepulcher 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 vndisciplined race, that seeme as if they were, Fru­ges consumere Nati.

But to proceede in our discourse: Histories of this Nature, are very needful for professors of Phisicke: for how shold they conceiue the true Art of cōposition, if the simples wherof the compounds are made, & their vertues be not perfectly knowne v [...]to them? Braseua­lus, de examine herbarum, exemplifies this discourse more fully, I will referre th [...]m to that place, not en­tertaining that subiect which is but superficially tra­duced to me; and I haue alwayes made that obs [...]ruance (in way of axiome) to all my readings, which Siluius [...]n his booke, De Simplici [...]. Medicament. inioyne [...]h [Page 49] himselfe: What Art soeuer a man knoweth, let [...]im on­ly exercise and vse it: For otherwise he shall but de­scry his owne Ignorance, as I haue noted in some: Quos cum nes [...]e piguit, mentiri n [...]n pig [...]bat. An odious scandall to a generous-minded Scholler, to write that which he is ignorant of himselfe; Lesse ashamed to lye, then to be defectiue in knowledge. But especial­ly some we haue of this sort, that lie vpon their know­ledge: Some (as in Traians fabling Age) write Arts of Horsem [...]nship, that neuer 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 neuer read Virgils Bucolickes: These are vsurping wits, presuming on the affable cen­sures of these depraued times. Ignorance can Apolo­gize herselfe: for what writer now a dayes weares not that liuery?

To our History: These naturall discourses of the qualities of Beasts, Birds, Serpents, and other Crea­ [...]ures, be likewise especially ne [...]dfull for Diuines: [...]hey may amply dilate vpon the admirable wo [...]kes of their Creator, by the s [...]ruey of his Creatures. For euen allEmbleme [...] o [...] Birds. Birds and Beasts (if exactly considered) shew the in­finite power of the Almighty; not onely in creating,The contem­plation of the Crea [...] mi­niste [...] admi­ration in vs to­ward our Cre­ator. but infusing such [...] natures and dispos [...] ­tions in them. The witty Emblematist also [...] his pretty inuentions from these resemblances; portray­ing the creature, and annexi [...]g his deuice to the Por­tray.

Nay, they are very motiue perswasions to the ac­knowledging of our owne weakenesse and infirmity: spurres to thankfulnesse, as that excellent Embleme where a Larke was pearched, with these verses:

Englished thus.

We haue many such witty Embl [...]mes, well befit­ting the most Christian vnderstanding to contemplat [...]; drawing the inscrutable wisedome of God from the excellency of his Creatures: the diuerse 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 c [...]e of admiration, then c [...]use of execration of his irreligious and damnable opinion.

Here the Hyene (as Plinie relates) can imitate theThe distinct na [...]ures of beasts expres­sed. voyce of any man, and that so neerely, 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 Beuer (by what instinct humane wisedome could neuer reach to) to satisfie his coue­tous pursuer, bites off his owne stones, being the price (he knowes) for which he is pursued.

Here see the dissembling Sphinx, able to personate any p [...]ssion, either of ioy or sorow. There the wonder­full Nature of the Rhynocer [...]s: the Lyon so naturally va­li [...]nt, 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 [...]ox and the Badger; such a natiue disagreeing remaines among these beasts, as their hatred is implacable; euer pursu­ing their enemy with an inueterate hate: for an enmity ingrafted by nature, cannot be suppressed by lesse then nature.

Many conflicts were instituted in Rome (at solemni­zation of any festiuall, or in remembrance of some me­morabl [...] [Page 51] exploite atchieued) betwixt Beasts: whence the Romanes gathered great knowledge, seeing the re­misnesse of some natures, and the eagernesse of others. Some of an vnquailed spirit, yet in strength vnable to maintaine their spirit: others (like our vnweldy Epi­cures) sinowy and fleshy enough, haue stre [...]gth at will, but defect of cour [...]ge so curbes them, as the o­uer-flow of ability waines in the rising; not daring to encounter with one of lesse strength, but more vi­vacity.

When Fabius Maximus went in Embassage to Pyr­rhus, Vide Lucium Flor. in 1 lib. do Sab. Be [...]l. & po­s [...]ea de bello Ta­rent. cap. 18▪ Prince of Epyre, with whom (at that time) the Ro­manes had warre: he 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 be­hinde the Arras, that at their next pa [...]ly, Fabius seeing so terrible a beast, might of his owne accord solicite peace. But Fabius (though one at that time vnac­quainted with such sights, for neuer were any Elephants then seene in Rome) hearing him send out his hollow voyce, replied: The sound of a Roman Ram will be more terrible then the voice of an Epyrian El [...]phant. But these grewe afterward to publicke spectacles: so as in any Triumph of some victorious, or puissant Captaine, there were many Elephants, Ounces, Panther [...], Tygers, and other sauadge beasts slaine, offering them (in tri­umphant manner) to the Temple of the Goddesse Vi­ctoria.

Varr [...], a Romane Peere, one to whom the Romane tongue was much indebted, did illustrate the Annals of Rome with their ceremoniall triumphs; shewing al­soSi multo sangui­ne victoriam ob­ticuissent, Gal­lum: si absque sanguine, Bouem Marti i [...]mola­rent. &c. what beasts were wont to be sacrificed to the Gods, and for what cause that institution was obserued; If the victory (saith he) was purchased with the losse of bloud, they vsed to sacrifice to Mars, a Cock [...]; but if without bloud, they offered an Oxe.

[Page 52]These naturall desc [...]iptions of beasts are very de­lightfull to the generous Reader; they are very fit for illustrating any Subiect; making comparison betwixt the Natures of Beasts, Birds, or Plants, and other materiall subiects of our discourse; com­paring lust, incest, and such lasci [...]ious exorbitances to the Lapwing, represented by Tereus, the rauisher of Phy­lomele: Inferring by the Spider, arrogancy, or p [...]ide, that durst compare with Pallas for preëminency. By the C [...]rmorant, grating oppression, sencelesse and re­morc [...]sse of others miseries. Progue (i [...] a Swal­lowes habite) implying the swiftnesse of reuenge to murder.

In the Beasts of the Forrest this may likewise be obserued: the Lyon (a fierce beast) of an heroicke na­ture, contemning the deiected ones, nor caring to feed on Carrion: He is of a Maiesticke disposition, and hates to be vngratefull for the least benefites receiued: If the Mouse rid him of base seruitude, he will finde time to requite her loue one way or other. This may represent the person of a King (for indeed he is the King of beasts) who scornes to triumph ouer the sub­iected, but to tyrannise ouer the proud.

The El [...]phant resembles a man prest downe with ho­nour;Resemblances in beasts. being once downe, he cannot rise: he is like some great man, who puf [...]ed vp with the prospero [...] gales of his fortunes, can finde no knees of legiance, or submission to either Prince or State; his ioynts are inflexible, and the load of his honour insupportable: once downe, impossible to rise, but by some vn-vsuall occurrent.

The Wol [...], (a State-gormandizer) preyes vpon the innocent, suckes the bloud of the Orphane, i [...]paires others meanes to enlarge his owne: cruelty is the ha­billiment he best liketh, making the state a wilde For­rest for euery Sauage to liue in, but a shambles for the poore silly Lambkin to suffer in.

[Page 53]The Goate, your wanton and sensuall Amorist, that skippes here a [...]d there, in euery brake of vani [...]y, till so entwined, as the sale of his repu [...]ation makes him beg for a good Name: but the Eyes of Generall Obser­uance are not so dazeled, they haue seene his Heart, and registred his follies.

The Beare, one that portends by his Birth, what he [...]sus tanquam Orsus. will be: an vnhandsome peece of flesh; one that needs licking before he be brought to fashion: Heeres Na­tures deformity, charractring by the foulenesse of the body, the filthinesse of his disposition: Tyrants we haue had of this resemblance, who came the wrong way into the world, but to intimate what wrongs they would do vnto the world. But now of tamer Creatures.Seuerall pro­ [...] resem▪ bling seuerall persons.

The Lambe cannot drinke of a troubled Spring, no more can Innocence.

The Hare euer sleepes with open eyes: so doth good Prouidence.

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

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

Shall we proceede in Birds likewise, and examine their Natures?

The Turtle for Constancy: The Cran [...] for Vigilancy: The Rohin expresseth his loue to Man: the Nightingall to women: None more industrious then the Larke, more laborious then the Wr [...]: more odious to her selfe, and others, then the Cuckow: More Heroicke then the Eagle, more Base then the Buzz [...]rd?

Then obserue what [...] ins [...]incts gi [...]en to cer­taine Birds, to prognosticate the euents of things.

The Crow a [...]ore-teller of what weather will come to passe. The Halcion or Seamew remarkeable in pre­dictionVid. Aur. Vict. of stormes, and the Swallow, Craue, and ma­ny others, exact obseruers of Seasons.

[Page 54]Other Birds there be that haue more Humane fee­ling: Pliny reports that there be certaine Birds which howle excedingly at the Ecclipse of the Sunne; as if naturally moued by som (by some miraculous influ­ence or instinct from heauen) to suffer with a Diuine Body. so extremely suffering: Let vs descend to Wormes, Serpents, and Creeping things, we shall see in them distinct Qualities also.

The Serpent Pareas, creepeth on his Taile, and withNatures of Serpents, and of Pagan [...]. the sharpenesse of his belly makes a [...]urrow vpon the ground where he crawleth.

Strange things be reported of the Serpent S [...]raphis, adored by the Aegyptians as a God: Some feeding vp­onSee the dis­course of Asia, and Affricke, entituled: The Far [...]ell of Fa­shions. In Aulular. raw flesh, intimating their rauenous Natures: Others on fish (as diuers Serpents) liuing vpon the Banke of the Riuer Nilus: Others on Plants, and the fruit of Trees, which Plautus expresseth by the Vine­fretter.

But other creep [...]ng Creatures there be very be­neficiall to Humane Society. The Silke-worme, whose labours make our Silken-Gallants. To that excesse are we come, as our brauery must be maintained, by the diligence of the simplest creatures, cloathing ourS [...]ll. de con­tempt. Mundi. Singula solatia singulis malis ob­uiantia prepa­rauit deus. Au­gust. selues with the very Bowels of Wormes: Wonder­full is their Generation.

The Add [...]r in her selfe obnoxius and hurtfull, yet she casts her skin (to expresse [...]er 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 b [...] ­twixt M [...]n and Her) she is the best Mirrour of Hu­many Glory, an Embleme of our Mortallity: and an importunate Guest that will come to banquet on our bodies, though not inuited: Shee is called Uermis (quasi inermis) shee can but turne againe, that's all the defensiue, or offensiue weapon she hath ready.

[Page 55]These silly contemptible Creatures be especiallThe worme a Motiue of Thankfulnes, and the best Charracter of humane frail­ty. Motiues to a good Man, of Thankefulnesse: the [...]xam­ple we reade in that deuoute Father Anselme, who walking on day in his Garden, and seeing a poore worme crawling vnder his feete, presently applyed this Christian-like vse to himselfe.

O Lord, thou mightst haue made mee like this Worme, contemptible and base, to liue in the holes and cauernes of the earth; But such was thy mercy, as thou wouldest not, bestow­ing on me thine owne Image, that thy similitude might bee glorified in mee: A comfortable Meditation of a zea­lous Father, and wo [...]thy our obseruation.

We will now discourse of the skaly fishes in theirDiuersities of Natures in Fi­shes. kind, that the Maiesty and Power of God (by giuing such diuersity of Natures to Fishes) may appeare in the Depths, as before it was manifestly expressed vp­on the earth, and all dry places: Here is a tyrannicke power euen in the Ocean, and an absolute gouerne­ment without restraint of power: Here is a Musicall concordancy likewise; a Diapason of Sea-inhabitants. The Dolphine playing a soft straine, resembling aIulis vide Pli­nium quam [...] ­nacem piscem appellat, &c. meane: the Sturgeon (swimming against the Streame) sharpens her Note, more neere a Treble: the [...]ulis a smoth Counter-tenor, and the rowling Porpoise the Base.

Here is great enmity likewise for predominancy:Contention a­mongst [...]ishes. And that amongst the greatest, the Orcke with the Whale: The Cuttell with the Thorne-backe; the Sea­horse with the Sea-vrchine: Many rare ver [...]ues in little Creatures: With what strangenesse the R [...]mora (a fish of small bignesse) holds a Ship, when in her full Saile? How wonderfully the Torpedo deliuers her-selfe, be­ing taken by the vnhappy Fisher? Disgorging her owne bowels, to stupefie the Taker, with an vncoth amazement.

The Acipenser, or which Pliny cals, Sacer piscis, feeds on nothing but mans flesh, implying a caueat to [Page 56] man: that hauing so many enemies euen in Earth, and not free from them in the Depths, should not spend his time in security, but preuent the enmity of all creatures by a dilligent 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 themselues, be Plants and Vegetatiue Bodies.

The wis [...]st of all Kings was much conuersant inThe Study of Kings in Plants, Herbs, a [...]d Fruits, &c. these Studies, knowing euery Tree, euery hearbe, and euery flower: A Cedro Libanon vs (que) ad Hysopum supra parietem: An excellent commendations in a King; not addicting his minde to other things then the pur­chase of Knowledge, euen in inferiour things: that a generallity of knowing, might make him worthy of gouerning.

Probus the Romane Emperour, who succeeded Flo­rianus in the Empire, was much addicted to Planting, and distinguishing the natures of Flowers, the ver­tues of Plants, with proper obseruances accommo­dated for the knowledge of all seasons, apt for graf­ting, Stilling and the like: Planting the Mountaine Al­mus scited neere Syrmius, and the Mount Aureus in Maesia the Higher, with Vines.

The like we reade of Galerius Maximinus, Surna­med Armentarius, and many others of the Romanes, whose diligence was much employed in such pleasant affaires.

Resemblances in these vegeta [...]iue Bodies, requires obseruance; To see the Vime like a fruitfull motherTo wha [...] espe­ciall resem­blance these [...] bee ac­commodate. of many faire children, sending out her ripened [...]lu­sters, faire blossoming Sprigges, and infinite store of pretty Slippes, imitating their Mothers fruitfulnesse, and bending with her owne Burden, as not able to support herselfe without some stay or vp-holder: The pittifull Elme stretcheth her armes out to beare her vp, in pure compassion moued to helpe her, that in [Page 57] herselfe and f [...]uitefull Issue, was so helpefull vnto others.

The Vine seemes sometime to weepe (for teares in­deed she sheds) as if in Throwes and paine of her la­bour: These teares distilling from the Vine cure thePlinius. Leprosy: So as she seemes both Fruitfull and Soue­raigne, yeelding no lesse comfort in her teares, then verdure in her spraies.

Many of these teare-shedding Trees there be, asTeare-shed­ding Trees. the Myrrh, dropping Amber, and the Rosined Fyrrh: These by allusion may seeme to commiserate our vn­happy states subiected to miriads of anxieties, by the taste of one Tree, whose dismall fruite made vs wretched.

Some Trees we haue for harbour and Shadow one­ [...]y, resembling our dissembling Professours; whose ex­ternall appearance makes great show of a fruitefull inside, when nothing, saue 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, then so accompted.

Some Trees pine away, as if surprised with anBuxus amator [...] languere simili­ma visa est, pal­lor inest illi pal­l [...]t & omnis a­mans. Alciat. amorous passion, exemplified in the Box: Others shew by their freshnesse, to whom they are consecrate, as the Myrtle.

Some loose not their colour in Winter, like the pa­tient man, who beleagred with the worst of fortunes oppositions, neuer changeth countenance for the matter: but like that Uenetian Motto writ in Triumph: Nec stuctu nec statu mouetur.

Others not subiect to any hurt by Thunder, as the Bayes: resemble the sincere Conscience, not dis­comfited with any assault, or dismaied with any terrour.

Sweete Odours, Flowers, and all other Beauties strowed vpon this Arteficiall Carpet garnish the earth, [Page 58] as the internall vertues inhabiting the minde do theA resemblance of Odou [...]s, Flowers and other Beau­ties to the in­ward Graces & Ornaments of the minde. Of Pretious Stones. Iulium Caesarem spe Margarita­rum, Britanni­am pet [...]se. Soule: This discourse more concerning the Hearbist, then Historian, makes me more briefe in the handling hereof.

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 seuerall inscriptions.

We reade how Iulius Caesar came into Bri [...]tany 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 hee shall be put to his iudgement) to distinguish rightly and [...]xactly of Saphires, Emraudes, Diamonds, &c. This requires exact iudgement, Iustres may be giuen to Glasse, as well as Diamond: Adulterate Gemmes, passe current with our Nouice: The Siluer-Smiths of [...]phesus haue instructed [...]his age sufficiently, and fraud must be incorporate to euery Profession.

If these Gemmes, I talke of, were ornaments of the minde, I should desire longer to insist vpon them: but being (as these times vse them) rather foments to ensnare and entrappe, then attractiue motiues, accor­ding to their Natiue Properties, being ordained as re­semblances of vertues: I will not dilate of their va­lewes, onely of their power, more pertinent to my Discourse, and better according with my knowledge, who Aeschylus-like, haue long time drawne water out of anothers Cesterne, but neuer filled mine owne Bucket.

Many excellent vertues of Stones, doth Pliny inThe ver [...]ues of Stones descri­bed. his Naturall History set downe vnto vs: As some haue power to frustrate the effect of poyson: Others very powerfull against the operations of Magicke Spels, With-craft, and the like: But as a Iudicious Commen­tary writes of him: Mul [...]a scribit, quae mehercule vera [Page 59] non existimanda s [...]nt: Yet to stand in suspence with vs (for the reuerence of such a learned Authour) because their effects haue not bene as yet tried of vs.

Many things (I confesse) seeme by all probability like the Amalga, to haue more Moone then Sunne in them: But the experiments which we haue in some, makes vs more credulous in others.The patient man like [...]he Stone Gallasia; Hard as the Diamond, cold like Ice, not to be fired. Or the Stone Amazantus, once on fire wil neuer go out.

The Diamond (whose Character is not to be razed) resembles the pure Impressions of vertue we haue re­ceiued, and which is traduced to vs by the intellectuall eye of the soule, which in no case should be razed or abolished in vs, but to be augmented with a greater encrease of vertues: It resembles also the truely Cha­ritable man, that to do good to others, impaires his owne fortunes: For the best Motto that euer was made of the Diamond was this: Dum formo, minuo.

The stone Mithrax (saith Pliny) is of a perfect co­lour, till opposed to the Sunne, and then it loosethStrange effects in Stones. his colour: It alludeth to many of our painted Sepul­chers, our She-puppets: None more cleere, or amia­bly-coloured then they, till the Sun glitter on them, and their slightly laid on varmish, presently then dissolueth: Quantum mutatur ab Illa: True Sodoms Ap­ples, no sooner touched, then to dust and corruption turned.

Topaz, her opposite (in Natiue vertue) shineth most in the thickest darkenesse: The very Idea of Vertue her selfe: The Clouds cannot interpose themselues be­twixt her, and her Natiue lustre: The Glo-worme gli­stersAllusions of certaine Stones to in­ternall graces. not more by night, then it doth in obscurity: A pretious Stone fittest for these times, and an orna­ment wel-beseeming the greatest Personage: For the Cloude of Errour should not be able to obscure their thoughts, euer bending their course to the mark of honour.

To recount the vertues of all, were a superfluous taske, for so should I make a Collection meerely of [Page 60] what hath beene wri [...]ten before, I onely set downe with my selfe, to extract the speciallest, and to make resemblances of them with the Natiue proportions of such things as are most vsuall obiects to our out­ward sences. I will briefly touch the admirable deuices of Minerals, and so proceede to my intended [...].

Mines the lower laid, the better: in them we dis­bowellOf Mine [...]als. (as it were) Nature of her hidden Treasure [...]; yet the earth, like a kinde and bountifull Mother, wil­lingly vnrips her owne breast, to enrich her children, the diuers veines, and [...]ordons which wee find there, like hidden or concealed streames, hauing filled vp their Treasure-channels (because so long time vn­ [...]mptied) minister store of all Mettals vnto their Digger.

C [...]sar in his Commentaries, seemes greatly to haue delighted herein, ha [...]ing so quickely found out with what sorts of Mettals, these Britaine-coasts most abounded: Some we haue of these Mineralists that by the supe [...]fices of the earth, can iudge, what kinde of Mettall best agrees with that Soile; and without pier­ [...]ing the ground (can prettily well) presage the euent of their labour: Their Studies deserue cherishing, being grounded on honest foundations, and such as ha [...]e much be [...]efited their Countrey by their indu­stry.

The North-part in their Copp [...]r-workes most la­bourious, merite their share of commendations;The northpart famous for Copper-work, by their labor and industry yeelding no small benefite t [...] their coun­ [...]ry. both profiting themselues, and yeelding an amp [...]e gaine to the Kings Reuenewes out of their labours. The most pretious Mines haue beene euer found out in Regions least inhabited, and where the Inhabitants could make little or no vse 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 Cocke, preferring a Barley-corne [Page 61] before a pearle.

Yet in these labours (in themselues praise-worthy) I altogether disalow such (of which our reading mi­nisters too many examples) that haue digged the Se­pulchres of the dead, to finde some hidden treasure buried with them. A sharpe law was enacted (for this end) amongst the Aegyptians, (which nation vsed to in­terre their chiefest Iewels with the dead party) that whosoeuer should violate the sacred rites of the dead, by digging vp their Treasures inchested with them, should be buried quicke.

A pretty story to this purpose is recorded of Semy­ramis, A pretty cau­ [...]ion for a mi­ser. that valiant Q [...]eene of Assyria, who before her death, commanded that a faire Monument should be erected ouer her, vpon which should be ingrauen this Inscription: Whosoeuer shall digge vp this stone, let him but looke vnder it, and he shall finde an infinite masse of trea­sure. Cyrus hauing conquered that people, chanced to come where that curious monument was erected; and seing this Inscription vpon it, presently comman­ded the stone to be taken vp, which being done accor­dingly, he found no treasure, but this caution of bet­ter value then all treasures: None but Fooles and Mi­s [...]rs would digge vp the bones of the dead. A reward well fitting the miserable desire of an insatiate minde.

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 haue but shadowed the chiefest, without intention to entreate of [...]uery particular, v­sing Ualerius Maximus words: Quis omnis [...]ui gesta modico voluminum numero comprehenderit? I will des­cend to Mixt Hist [...]ries, which was the last branch of my diuision.

Mixt Histories are composed, or compounded ofMixt [...] [Page 62] all those three, of which we haue sufficiently entreated before. Variety of subiects best agree with the frame of these writings: they expresse to the quicke, not on­ly what was done discursiuely, but what should haue beene done morally, and deriuing the euent from pro­bable causes, arising from nature, they conclude theirMi [...]t Histories composed of all kindes. discourse, making it vniuersall. Some haue stiled these Miscellaneae, because a commixture of all affaires; they playing the Morall Phylosopher as well as Historian: comprehend all which the other could any way seeme to entreate of; bei [...]g the abridgement of all relations, and in themselues sufficient to produce incredible ef­fects: they require especiall reading, ripe iudgement, and an apt disposition withall to make their members, so diuersly hanging, vnite in one maine body.

I approue of Salusts opinion: Ex ijs Negotijs quae in­genio ex [...]rcentur, in primis magno vsu est memoria rerum gestarum. Yet of all those Records, none in themselues more eminent, because none more elaborate then mixt Histories: they contract in one leafe (as it were) what a whole volumne could scarcely comprehend. There must be a generall knowledge in these discour­ses,These requir [...] a generall knowledge, & extend furth [...]r then all the rest. making a well-composed body of many scattered limbes, gathered from the reliques, or ashes of their deceased Authors. For as a good Limber will not see any blemish in his portraiture; but (ere he hang it out) will desire to make euery part and proportion in a kinde of correspondency, to moue 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 dispar­rage to the whole. Here Antomedon-like, he should set out vertues table, making his life a globe of pre­cepts: There, like an excellent Naturalist, he should dilate vpon the natures of things, or probable reasons [Page 63] (as I said b [...]fore) de [...]iued from Nature. The maister­peece (like the warp [...] in the web) is Discourse: for these Buttresses, without a maine foundation, would soone decay.

Wits compared to Soiles: some naturally fruitfull, without forci [...]g: others, without continuall labour and [...]illage, will bring forth nothing but tares (or the Husbandmans teares) Some fit for Barley, others for Wheat, Oates, or the like: and some most apt for Mis­sellane.A [...] of wits. So in wits, some naturally ripe & forward; o­thers require a more deliberate dispatch: the o [...]e more pres [...]nt, the other more solid. P [...]egnant & ripe wits are not so good, they are like a Rasorkeene and sharp [...], but his edge is soone rebated. One compared them, & not vnfitly, to soft wood, ready to receiue any impression from the Limber; but for warping, is vnable to keepe, and therefore not fit for any worthy, or curious Por­traiture. Such wits are these, which be rather fit apt [...]or inuention, then iuditious scanning of any Authour: they can inuent, better then extract; and consequent­ly vnfit for these mixed Discourses whereof we now entreate,

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

Salust in his Iugurthine Warre, includes a pretty commixture of Histories; as if he had intended toExample of mixt histories. make a president for relations of this kinde, where he brings in Micipsa vpon his death-bed, speaking to his sonnes: Equidem ego regnum vobis trado fi [...]mum: Si boni eritis, sin mali imbecillum. Wherein he so liuely cha­racters the state of Pri [...]ces, and the morall instruction of a Father dying, to his C [...]ildren, with the seuerall natures and dispositions [...]f [...]hem; that it seemes hee purposed to instance t [...]is kinde of writing in so ex­cellent a subect. Here he shewes dissimulation in a [Page 64] Prince, euen at his end: there an vnworthy plot of an adopted sonne, seeking to reigne by indirect meanes. Here Micipsa exhorts them; with, colite talem hunc virū, imitamini virtutem. Yet he intimates withall, his feare of aspiring, seeing his nature so boundlesse. There he describes the iealous doubts, and perplexed windings of Adherball; there the drooping spirit of Hyempsall, and the royall disposition of Iugurth: so as by reading their diuers natures, one might coniecture for whom the gouernment of Numidia was reserued.

These Histories are most fruitfull, they draw bothMixt Histories [...]ost fruitfull. attention, and they comprehend in them great plenty of instruction. Attention by their variety, instruction by their morality; including a pe [...]swasiue kinde of writing in the one, and a delightfull proceeding, or continuance in the other.

Some Historians in this kinde, and not vnfitly, lay o­pen the causes of decayes in Citties, Empires, and Go­uernments: as Romes fall proceeding from her Popes pride, Babylons from her ryot, the Medes from her security, the Tyrians from their sumptuousnesse in ap­parrel; the Christians (in Easterne parts) more to their shame, and our griefe, from their ciuill dissention a­mong themselues.

Thus haue the flourishingest Common-weales fal­len to desolation, and dissolution, their highest spires ruinate, their Temples, with their places, of prophane adoration, defaced; nothing remaining to boast of,Causes prece­dent directors to the euents. saue that they once were happy, once victorious. Yea Iugurth himselfe seemes to expresse the cause of Romes ruine; shewing how subiect they were (euen the pur­ple Fathers, the reuerent Benchers) to take bribes, & receiue oyntments, which would close their mouth for speaking in the Common-weales behalfe. For when he was complained of, vnto the Senate, for the murder of Hyempsall: and the Senate hauing then go­vernment ouer Numidia in chiefe; which Realme (as [Page 65] others) w [...]s tributary to them, commanded Iugurth to appeare before them vpon such a day; fully resolued 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 maxi­ma inuidia in gratiam & fauorem nobilitatis Iugur. veniret. A strange Metamorphosis, when states were so soone changed, which portended a sudden change of their gouernment, falling from so great glory, and [...]mi­nence, to eternall obscurity.

Many Histories of these natures there be, which de­pendDistinct pro­prieties in all Historie [...]. vpon apt allusions, 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 vs what should be done, as well in priuate as publike. Phisicall, in the character of seuerall [...]atures, aptly accommodated to the subiect whereof we ent [...]eate. With wh [...]t delight do we reade the diuers inclinations of Princes? HereInclination [...] different i [...] Princes. a Catyline, doing little, and [...]peaking much: there a Iu­gurth, doing much, [...]nd speaking little. Here [...] 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 euer [...] more good to his followers: there a Nero▪ then whom, none more desertlesse to his followers. Here a working crafty wit, stirring vp tri­fling rewards, to containe him in suspence; instanced in Ti [...]erius: there an affable minde, set out in threed­bare words, one that could neuer flatter; specified in Titus.

These seuerall 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 work of Heauen, seldome, or neuer haue these suspitio [...]s heads cause to rest; but th [...] more they suspect, the more [Page 66] motiues they haue to suspect: for this craft is alwayes hatefull, and procureth enemies: sub [...]ill councels be­ing odious vnto the world, and so dis-fauoured of God, that they are alwaye [...] waited on, and attended with most vnprosperous ends. We shall see in pro­phaneVertue euer [...]ttended with a prosperous end. stories a maine diuersitie, euen in the simplest and shallowest vnderstandings, the subtillest sconses the meanes of their own decay; as in Sejanus, who in the opinion of his owne worth, grew in time, Ferox sceleris: Such aspiring spirits be (for the most part) v­sed like Sponges, wet with their spoyles and extorti­ons,Policy her owne [...]ine exemplified. with which being a long time soaked, they are [...]t last crushed and condemned, that th [...]ir long gathe­red wealth might returne to the Princes Coffers. Tra­ian vsed [...]o call the Treasury, or Exchequer (by way of comparison) the Splene, because it increasing, brings to all the other parts a pining.

The simple (or Innocently imagining statist) comes euer to an expected end in his hopes; as they are not great, so not subiect to so great an Ecclipse: yea, the hopes of these men attaine sometimes ends aboue expectance: Such was H [...]luius Pertinax his successe, who (neuer aiming at the Title of Empe­rour) was crowned when he was from thoughts of Ti­tulary honour most sequestred: R [...]pugnans (que) suscipiens vsing a kinde of withstanding ere he would entertaine so great a weight. And in al histories, if we obserue the diuers occurrents which befell men in great and emi­nent places, we shall see euer the honestest purposes seconded with the happiest euents; and the dispropor­tion of the end euer sorting with the discordance of the minde: for the intention is discussed by him that layeth the foundation, and (of all Empires in dust at his pleasure) breathing euer vpon the sincere purposes of the good, and confounding the deepe defigues (vp­on what pretence soeuer grounded) of the euill.

In Mixt Histories (as the scope whereat they ai [...]) [Page 67] is mixed part with profite, and part with delight, toWhat subiect best concord [...] with mixt Hi­ [...]. make the Discourse m [...]re compleat: So should the se­riousnesse of the subiect attract a kinde of Maiesty to it; for impossible it is, either with trimnesse of words, propriety of aptly-annexed, and duly-applied senten­ces, or any other elegancy whatsoeuer, to make a sub­iect (of it selfe light and friuolous) beare the portray of state: For words (if well applyed) illustr [...]te, and add [...] a beauty, but not any way better the weight of the matter.Three things necessarily re­quired in Hi­stories of thi [...] nature.

There be three things which be especially required in Histories of this nature, to make them perfect: first Truth, in [...]incerely relating, without hauing any thing (as Tacitus obserueth) [...]austum ex van [...], foisted in by our owne inuention, to smooth the passage of our story.

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

Thirdly, iudgement in distinguishing things by ap­prouing the best, and disallowing the contrary.

For the first, stories should be true, or at least re­sembleHistories should be true 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 doubtfull: we haue many Histories (euen of this kinde) 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 been taken for truth, and registred amongst workes of more s [...]rious consequence.

Such were those Apologae Fabulae (whereof we haue in part spoken before) which contained in them many pitthy and graue [...], and worthy obseruation in the excellentest Moral: these are fitly called by Tul­ly, Mirrors of Mans life, Patternes of Manners, and I­mages of truth. Their neere resemblance of truth, made [Page 68] the reader more attentiue, subiecting 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, win a whole Monarchy with his owne single hands, lead 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 to be belieued, it pleaseth the Painter so to deliniate their vertues.

But of these erronious stories there be some ob­serue no methode, planting an Arcadie in a Brit­tanny: Absurdities in Historians of our time. as if by some super-natural accident there were a transplantation of Regions, or some Earth-quake in the Authors braine, whence this immane Colosse of an irregular Discourse proceeded. Which strange re­presentations be not vnlike to your Lanskip; where vpon the sea, whatsoeuer we see, by land, seemes in our saile to go with vs: Euen so do these vain Histori­ans make strange obiects vnto vs, of places impossible, transiting whole Countries to make an impolished straine of pastorall musicke (one good Bell-weather would make as perfect harmony) sound well in a Clownes eare.

To be short, my opinion positiuely is this: That Hi­storian which can ioyne profite with a modest delight together in one body or frame of one vnited discourse, grounding his story vpon an essentiall truth, deserues the first and principall place: and he who (vpon a fai­ned discourse) can proportion it to a likenesse of truth, merits the next. As for him that (like one of Duke Humphreyes Knights) obserues neither meane nor measure, but gorge their own insatiate appetites with full messes of vntruths (without probability) should be [Page 69] dealt withall, as that wandring Italian Squire was vsed, for his monstrous lying: Tost in a Blanket, till his erring spirit by suffumigations, or some such like meanes, were canuased out of him.

Great blemishes these be to so reputed a Profession, aiming neither at profite nor modest delight, but imi­tating your Mercenary Actors, spurt out some ob­soene ieast 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 reade now a daies; The first Act whereof is in Asia, the next in Affrica, the third in Europa, the fourth in America: and if Ptolomeus, or Marcus Paulus had found out a fi [...]fth part of the world, no question but it had beene represented on their vniuersall Stage: Such as these ought to haue some distinct language, Utopian, or some other grunting tongue eng [...]ossed to themselues: For they should profite more, by being lesse vnder­stood. Much they speake of vallour, and many ima­ginary Heroes are pitching their Pauillions; But I will take my leaue of them with my French Prouerbe: Beaucoup de bruit, è peu de fruict: Much bruite, but little fruite: Battels more fierce (by report) then Alcahors: 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: Their should be an explanation inExplanation in discouery of causes. discouery of the 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 [Page 70] were instituted: I do know many things there be in Discourses, which may be as well implyed as inser­ted; But in Festiuals, solemne Games, euents of Duel­lors, or publicke Trials: The causes forcing should and ought to be as well deciphered, 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 prec [...]senesse) I confesse vpon the place, occasion, and houre of the day, with such a liuely Transcription, as if the Sabine Rape had bene committed in their time.

The like we reade of the destruction and vtter sub­uersion of the Gabians, in the time of Tarquin Super­bus: The generall vnion of Historians, about the time, place, and occasion, so concordantly iumping, as if all those proceedings (as well in the Stratagemes by Tarquins yongest sonne, as the very Contents ofA concord in circumstances amongst Histo­rians. that Letter writ by the father to his sonne, for the ma­nagement of this exploite) had bene set downe by one pen.

The like in that Combat, or bloudy Banquet rather of Thomyris her eldest sonne, and the Persian Cyrus, with such natiue descriptions of euery circumstance, the Riuer Araxis, the place of their passage, the rea­sons which moued Thamyris to suffer their passage, and the very plot where their Tents were pitcht, their dainty viands left for the Scythian surffet, in what sort prepared, & 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 [Page 71] 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, reseruing the choycest dainties for the end, when the appetites of the Guests are satisfied before they come: It is a good frugall course, and includes an Occonomicke pollicy, their best dishes may be pre­ferued for another time: He that discouers euents and sequels without their precedent causes, is as one that would draw a Riuer dry, without knowing whence the Spring is deriued: applying the conclusions of things, as it pleased the Ethnickes in ancient time, to reserre them to the arbitriment of Fortune; making euer this womanish argument: The euent 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 inuisible: But these men are not onely blind in the eye of common sence, but invisible in the composure of their owne Arguments; their Conclusions being as blind as them­selues.

In making likewise our iudgement of Histories, and considerately applying it to our present interests, we must specially regard the dispositions of the Agents, and dilligently remarke how they are affected in minde, this is the least dece [...]uing ground of forming opinion: By the nature of the Agent, coniecturall euents or reasons of euents 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 oftimes, rather aggrauate then allay causes of ciuill discord. Men of moderate dispositions, purchase peace with lesse adoe, and more successefull; For Prin­ces (ballancing their owne wrongs, to their appre­hension [Page 72] insupportable) cannot endure brauing▪ butThe Euent gathered by foregoing cau­sos. will rather try the extreamest of Fortune, then be vn­worthy of themselues, by hearing and bearing affronts with patience.

The like we haue obserued in the successe of war, a wise and experienc't Leader, to haue accomplished great matters with a handfull of men; and that Apho­rismeTanti esse exer­citum q [...]nti imperato [...]m Luc. Fl [...]r. 2. lib. to be very true: Better is an Army of Harts, with a Lyon to their Leader, then an Army of Lyons, hauing an Hart to their Leader: And contrary wise the vnhappy euents of most flourishing Empires, the miserable slaughters of most puissant Armies, by the vnaduised gouernement of their Agents, or tyranny of their Regents, whose improuidence made much people vnfortunate: To see Han [...]iball once a Conquerour, be­cause his hopes were not seated on indirect meanes, and by his owne traculent disposition, to become a prey to the conquered, makes [...]his Assertion good.

Many examples we haue of the like, where the Na­ture of the Agent ill affected, crossed not onely the successe of hopefull designes, but buried their Names in obliuion, of such I speake, as haue bene interrested in the like aduentures.Contempt of Religion, the cause of Realmes sub­uersion.

As sometimes where the Agents haue bene neg­lectfull of Religion; depending more vpon their owne proper resolutions, then the power of heauen directing all humane a [...]aires to their appointed ends: As wee may reade in that memorable disaster of the Romanes at Canne, where the ConsullThis euen the very Heathens haue obserued. V [...]ro, with a populous Army of experienc't Souldiers, was vtterly discomfited; and that (as the Ro­mane Historians haue obserued) because of Iunoes wrath conceiued against Uarro, for erecting (in deri­sion of Iupiters Temple) a Mimicke-boy to keepe watch, as the solemne order was.

The like of Potitius detracting from the honour of Hercules: The like reuenge inflicted on Virilius by [Page 73] Aesculapius: By Iuno Lacinian Q. Fulv: By Proserpine In aur [...]am cr [...] ­teram Delphos perferendam cu­rasset. Valer. Max. on Plenimius: By Iupiter, on that sacriligious Tyrant Dionysius: By Apollo on the Pirate-prince Thymasitheus: On Alexand [...]r by C [...]res.

Sometimes by the libidinous disposition of the Gouernour, other sometimes by his Auarice: now and then by his Impatience, and most of all by his reck­lesnesse, haue the sequels of things proued lesse for­tunate, because the precedent motiues, 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 v [...]cleere Spring: Nor at tares growing in the sluggards field; but we admire successiue ends, drawne from improbable causes: Many times there be (I con­fesse) intrinsecall motiues, which like, as that Beauty is the best which cannot be expressed by the Painter, so arrogates it the chiefest place (that inwardly mo­uing cause, I meane) because, the efficient cause of cau­ses, more sure, more infallible then the euidentest de­monstration: And I haue (for my part) euer superstiti­ouslySuch things as bee aboue vs, be not to bee argued of vs. feared to bring such causes in Question: since such Arguments haue ministred no small occasion to the prophaner wits, both of Ancient and Moderne times, to boulster their insufficient opinions: As to ar­guethus: Heere we see a flourishing Common-weale supporting her selfe by no other mean [...]s then Iustice; reaching to as high a perfection in euery degree, of as exact gouernment, as the blindnesse of the time would permit: Yet this State (so flourishing) laid wast by a people exposed to all impieties: Here the end can hardly be collected by the fore-going cause. Equity was in the conquered, Tirrany in the Conque­rour: Here is a maine discrepancy in the beginning, and conclusion; and the actiue causes ordinarily mouing seeme (Cardine Uerso) to oppose themselues. It is true; But tell mee (whosoeuer thou art) that Lucian­like [Page 74] composest this Argument: Is he that sets vp, and confounds, what Empires as b [...]st pleaseth him, tyed to meanes, or secondary causes? There is no Realm which for some abuse or other, hath no [...] deserued to loose her glor [...]; and herei [...] doth the Maiesticke power of heauen shew aboundant mercy, to some Kingdomes in chasti [...]ing them before they come to the heigth of sinne, that their eclypse of glory, might be an in­crease vnto them of vertue; their [...]bbe of honour, an occasion of acknowledgement of their Creator.

For euen in the best Common-weales, we reade,Kingdom [...] [...] to ac­knowledge­ment by the taste of [...]se­ties. that the experiment of some externall misery or disa­ster, hath reduced them to more ripe consideration of themselues, and an exact search in themselues, discus­sing the causes of the Gods indignation against them. Present extremities are of that force to Humane bo­di [...], that the present apprehension of their woe, seemes in some sort to extenuate their pride, in [...]lameth Religion, [...]iteth men to vndertake a labour for the benefite of their Country (with the losse of them­selues) to appease the wrath of the Gods. This was the cause why the Romanes vsed to haue the gate of the Temple lanus open in warre, but shut in peace: For Nec [...]ssity (as well in these times as in Pagan times (vs­eth to be the mo [...]e of deuotion.

Explanation of causes, is an elucidary or examply­ [...]g, as it were of the matter whereon we entreate: Happy (saith t [...]e Poet) is hee, that hath knowne, or doth Causes direct­o [...]ies of e­u [...]nts. know, the principall causes of things, as well precedent as su [...]uent: Euents may be knowne (I confesse) without their causes, but so defectiue is that know­ledge, as the Co [...]ntrie Shepe-heards prediction is of weather: His obseruan ces are causelesse because Art­lesse, iudging of the Cloude (by vsuall approbation) making experiment his ground, without recourse had to Naturall causes: To shew the destruction of Troy by Alcydes, without explaning the perfidious dea­ling [Page 75] of Laomed [...]n: or of Troies second subuersion, without the rape of Hellen: or of Romes translated Aristocracy, without relation made of those ciuill warres, planting C [...]sar in his Mona [...]chy; or of that ample and potent Empire of Media translated to the Persians, without the precedent causes arising from the glory, and eternall renowne of Cyrus, would make a confused History, as if the former chaos wereA disposition, yet not limi­ted, an or­der yet not coacted, a meanes yet not enforced: Qui enim (Si voluit) omnia si [...]e medijs crea­re potuit, ea eti­am siae medijs (Si voluit) ser­uare potuit. reduced to her first indigestion: causes are the Springs of Euents.

If we should reade the diuers effects of glory, the sundry mouing causes of perpetuall honour, amongst the Romanes, we would admire them: Some hauing raised themselues to an exceeding eminent pitch of greatnesse, and that by as vnaccustomed meanes, Selfe­affiance, or Confidence of their owne vallour, instanced in Cne: Scipio, publiquely proclaming: That nothing was more generous then this Confidence, more infallible then Prediction, more powerfull than celerity in dispatch, or more eminent then the digni [...]y of the Person: The like of Scipio Many King­domes much renowned, by that meanes, which makes them most de­based: Selfe­ [...]ceit. Aemilian [...]s, Scipio N [...]ca, Furius Phyl [...]s, Luc. Crassus, M. Scaurus▪ and many others, whose greatest fame was purchased by that meane, which vseth to be the greatest errour i [...] humane society, [...] of a mans owne deseruings: Which likewise hath beene ruine to many populous and most puissant Empires. Then to diuert our eye to an opposite of Conceit, and that is Modesty, or a silent shadowing of their owne de­merites: Excellent and memorable examples where­of may be produced out of Valer: M [...]ximus in his 4. Booke, entreating of Modesty: where he obserues (by way of explanation,) the meriting parts of many, whose resolutions shadowed, made the lustre of their Country more eminent.

Likewise to describe, the strange, and vnexpected, rising of some, Qui p [...]steris fuere nobilitatis initium, & virtutis exemplum: Borne of nothing; yet by some pri­uate [Page 76] indowments, either of i [...]sinuating, as the igno­ble wits: or of State-obserui [...]g, as those elated Na­tures, grieued (as it were) with the obscurity of their birth, in seeing others lesse (it may be) meritorious, ascend the Throne of highest honours, possesse the eminentst places, in contempt & despi [...]e of Fortune, & humblenes of b [...]rth, crowde in the presse of the hono­red,Honour the [...]st when it i [...] deriu [...]d from [...]r selues. if but sor enobling their Country by their peculi­ar deserts. This wa [...] obiected against Cicero, which he as sufficiently answered: Satius est me meis rebꝰ gestis storere quam maiorum opinione ni [...]i. Dependance of Aunce­stors conferre small or no glory to vs, if our succ [...]ding worth shew not a correspondency to our Prode­cessours glory. Tullus Hostilius, Tarquinius priscus, Tulliu [...] Seruius, Perpenna, and T [...]rrentius [...], & that mirror of countries loue, M. Portius Cato: Their births ignoble, y [...]t they made their Cradles Noble by their many d [...]seruing parts; Characters of proper Nobility, not deriued from their fathers greatnesse, but from their owne eminence: Nor haue there wanted others who degenerated from their A [...]cestors well deserued liues: Scipio Affriā, his Countries honor, leaues a Scipio the monument of his own dishonor: Fabius Maximus, [...] sonne, for worthlesse respect, deseruing the name of Fabi [...]s Minimus: Clodius Pulcher beautified with orna­ments of mind, as well as body, makes his Country no [...]. lesse hopelesse by his birth, then renowned by himselfe. The like of [...] his Nephew, one least equalling so many deserued parts of his thrice glorious Ance­s [...]our: The one a prosessed prostitute to all licentious places, an arch-protector of sensuality, hauing no other Clients, but noted S [...]rumpets: The other a sup­porter of Equity, a resister of indirect proceedings, a mirror of continence in his time; and one, second [...]o none, saue Cicero, in promptnesse of speech, and a pre­sent modestly composed Eloquence.

In the description of their natures we include the cau­ses [Page 77] of [...]heir ends; vertue being (as we said before) euer seconded with euent answerable to her intent, either in the beginning, middle, or end. And certai [...]ly, who­soeuer should but read the desolations of the mightiest Empires, or their rising, shall see some appearance of causes proceeding from their gouernment, occasions of their glory, or ruine. Nor can we (wi [...]hout cause) admire the erection & establishing of the Turk [...]sh Em­pire,The wonder­full establish­ing of the Tur­kish Empire. her many dilated Prouinces, extended Confines; and almost soueraigne command in the Easterne parts. Let vs but consider their politicke gouernement (sub­iecting 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 spaciou [...] territories, where once the sanctified feet of the sacred Apostles vsed to tread. Yet in their policies (because not proportionate to vertue) shall they be subu [...]rted. They haue erected themselues to an exceeding height, (with the Gyants menacing the fabricke of Heauen;) but their fall will be more miserable, by how much they be of miseries more i [...]capable. For that king­dome which is not established in peace, shall be ruined by warre; & where vertue had not her predominance, there shall the illimited rage of vice take her residence: and where she is an inhabitant, there is imminent deso­latiō menaced. To make explanation of causes in this, were needlesse, because the seate of such a gouerne­ment is the occasion of her fall; For ruine and extir­pation haue euer followed Imp [...]ous Gouernours at the heeles. Yet in making vse of this especiall Branch of History: Explanation of the discouery of causes, I will limit and restraine it to an asser [...]aine bound. We must must not search causes aboue their natures; there beConcealed reasons not to be searched. many hidden and concealed reasons, which to enquire after, were vnlawfull; much lesse to wade into the se­cret conuentions of that facred power from whom all visible and apparant causes borrow their light. [Page 78] What we may gather by authenticke relation, or pro­b [...]ble im [...]gination, may without pre [...]udice, or error, be produced. As for supernaturall causes, the more we sound them, the more we sound into the shallownesse of our owne iudgements; neuer further from appre­hendng them, then when we seeme to apprehend them. Now to the third, that is, iudgement in distin­guishing things, by approuing the best, and disallow­ing the co [...]trary.Dijudication of Histories.

Dijudication of Histories, or i [...]dgement in distin­guishing the approuedst, proceeds from a mature vn­derstanding.

In this Historicall scale we must ba [...]ish all lasci [...]ious and petulant wits, conuersant [...]bout fro [...]thy and licen­tious obscenities. The workes of an Historian should be Monuments of Antiquity, true Heralds of acts; ei­ther prosperously, or insucc [...]ssiuely atchieued: and not forments to lust, inducements to sensuality. Two sorts there be which ecclipse an Historians glory: from the one, we reape the haruest of shame, where characters of Myrrha, and Uenus (the wantons vota­rie [...]) are deblazoned in their colours: yet in their de­scrip [...]ions more pernitious to easily-inclined youth, then euer Archilochus was to the Spa [...]tan dames. Poore Albion hath laboured too long of this impo­stume; such Historians must either be exiled, or the Common-wealth must of necessity be depraued. Vice h [...]th too many supporters, without the furtherance of Authors. From the other, there redounds no other benefite, then impertinent inquisitions of strangely­sought out Antiquities; so [...]recise in description, so cur [...]ous in foundation and so selfe-opiniona [...]e of their owne writings, as they oft-times doe on [...]ly (Haerere in verb [...]) omit [...]ing 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 Cit [...]y, neglecting the materiallest [Page 79] parts of the discourse; as vpon what occasion the Cit­ty was rather erected there, then in another place, by what meanes it was augmented, how con [...]inued, and other necessary circumstances omitted: they insist vp­on affaires of l [...]sse consequence; finding out where the first stone was laid, when the foundation of such a Citty was digged. This causes often-times great vo­lumes, with small benefite to the Reader, and indeed rather implies an affecting-opinion in the Authour, of pleasing himselfe, then others.

Ancient Records are necessarily inserted in Histo­ries; but such are to be supported by truth, including a necessary relation to the subiect where of he intreats. Otherwise, such Antiquities (as for selfe-pleasing) are produced, expresse nothing. Propt [...]r plebaeium & in­vtilem quendam opinioni [...] succum. These be rather Opi­nionists then Historians.

These two kindes (like Ianu [...] face) stand contrary­wayes: the one sort (to wit the first) are Charons best Factors, they traffique for a Ladyes bon-voyage to hell; theres not a line in all their writings, that tastes of modesty, or relish v [...]rtue: If Pluto and his Angels had not one she-prophet, nor state-moppet within all his dominions, to make his Empire noble: yet these Broth [...]ll-authors ( [...]or better I cannot name them) would by their Lime-twigges furnish his (Malaspe­ranza) with a full saile. My Lady here sits and reades, wonders at the ingenuity of the man, (a pr [...]gnant youth doubtlesse,) and will make her pregnant too, if she haue any mouing faculty in h [...]r; his best character is the schoole-maister of folly, the introduccr of sen­suall liberty, extinguisher of pure loue, experienced instructer to lust, harbourer of illimited desires; and consequently harbinger to the Diuell. As the Mar­tin will not build, but in faire houses, so this man will not liue, but in the ruines of honour: he is too con­uersan [...] in the Court, too familiar in the Citty, and [Page 80] sometimes too willingly entertained in the Countrey. His pen, as it is mercenary, so his labours perniti­ous, his state labours of penury (and he would rais [...] it) his soule of a lethargy, but seekes not to redeeme it. To be briefe (for such a subiect is not worthy dilating on.) As Augustus banished Naso to Naxos, and his de­praued workes to the darkest corner of his study: so should these petulant wits bee expulsed euery well­gouerned Common-weale, and their prostitute la­bours sustaine Enpolis censure.

For the other, as none yeeld or affoord more be­nefite to their countrey, then laborious and iudicious Antiquaries: so trifling and opinionately-conceited Historians may benefite themselues, but hardly can communicate the best of their knowlege vnto others. Opinion is a maine opponent to Iudgement: the one guided (or rather drawne) by a precipitant will, the o­ther disposed by the directing eye of reason. Opinion (Lesbian-like) frame their line by their worke, and not their worke by their line: but Iudgement hath euer (Cleanthes-like) a table equaly mixed or furnished with [...]id. [...]siod. in Noct. & Di [...]. seruices of Arete & Pomona, vertue and pleasure: the one to profite, the other to delight: Which equally­mixed iudgement should be especially conuersant in censurers of Histories; they must not do, as it is repor­ted of Ualerius Maximus, inhibite many things in the euening, which he would approue of in the morning, and command that to be enacted one houre, which he would be ashamed to confirme the next houre. A set­led & wel-seasoned iudgment will with (circumspecti­on) not so much censure a modest digression in a Hi­story, as the vse which may be made of that digression; nor tax [...]ny thing in a faithfull Historian, though heSicut Bestiae in Eremo, ita Gen­ti [...]es in mundo. Greg: in Moral. 29. cap. 18. shadow at the corruptiōs of the age with bitternes: for oylie and temporising tongues, are nourishers of these vitious and irregular times; where, as beasts in the de­sart, so men liue in the world: nor be censurers to taxe [Page 81] such things for impossibilities, because they haue not heard of the like; nor such R [...]lations as false, which haue not occurred to their readings. For how should we giue credite to those incredible attempts of former times, where victories were atchieued with lesse adoe, then May-games in these times. To s [...]e Antheus re­newing his strength, and doubling his force by falling: those magnanimous Romans erecting their spirits most when they were neerest declining. I haue euer obser­ued these times, as they second the first in gradation, so they stand inferior to the first in exploits and ma­nagements of resolution. Censures should b [...] ballan­ces equally and euenly disposed; neither inclining to partiall affectation of person or state; but ready to giue approbation where the verity of discourse, and sincerity of the Author giues his pen fre [...] scope to curbe errour, and attribute to vertue her merited Ti­tles. Alasse, that Censurers should be either so enga­gaged to the seruile command of popular glory, or tied to great mens sleeues, that the Historian [...] labours must be razed, which truth would haue raised: Vertue hath in her selfe a soueraigne end, to which all liberall Arts and Sciences (in themselues truly noble, and me­riting honour) haue their aime and recourse.

This occasions learning to be neglected, and the exact scrutinie of ancient Records (then the which no­thing more beneficiall) to be suppressed, or at least, not a little darkned: when a Rhadamanth, or Criticke Censurer must haue the corrections of our industrious labours, and iuditious volumes: which (to feed his owne indigested humour) must be subiect to many fri­uolous inte [...]lacings. But patience (which is C [...]mes sa­pientiae, non famula concupiscenti [...]) must be the poore Hi­storians supporter, making vse of times abuse, and ap­plying this salue to his misery, which the Poet infer­red, as cause of Romes subuersion, and calamity. Prim [...] Virg. in A [...]nead 30. peregrinos obsc [...]na pecu [...]ia mor [...]s intulit.

[Page 82]But let me stay a little, that I may make an end the sooner; [...]re I proceed to the tru [...] of Hi­stories, I must caution two so [...] of men, which (in their reading) peruert the vse and scope of History, by a maleuolent disposition, either bred in them by na­ture, or ingendred by custome, a second nature: the one foolishly precise, whose behauiour (as one obser­ueth) are like a verse, wherein euery sillable is measu­red; or like your Spaniards aspect, who will not smile beyond a poynt, for feare to vnstarch his looke.

These cannot taste any thing well, that is not abso­lute; yet for their iudgement a Uenetian Asse maySuperbire est supra regula ire. out-strip them: He is (vnmeasurably proud) wise in hi [...] owne conceit, [...]hath an orbe in his braine, which euer turning round, makes his iudgem [...]nt brain e­sicke.

The other, farre more intollerable, because more troubled with the rising of spleene: he detracteth from the best, and findes scruples in infallible truths; his owne iudgement, as it is defectiue, so it en [...]ies a­against others, maturer in the height of vnderstanding, and more exact in the ancient surueyes of truth. But as fortitude of body deriues her essence from the im­becility of the minde, and the ability of the mind from the d [...]bility of the body: So the Authors glory is oft­times reuiued, and augmented by the sting of Detra­ction, as the Detractors in [...]amy by the Authors glory: Vertue alone is crowned, Vertue in her selfe, is of all possessed. She it is alone by which man is eternized.Hae [...] [...] quae fa­ci [...] [...] De­um, &c. S [...]neca This is she that steeres the poore Historians Barke a­gainst all oppositions. In this harbour therefore may I repose, leauing the depraued 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 iudge­mentDeliberation n [...]dfull in Hi­stories of main consequence. in the relation of euery act that is done: we ought to vse a kind of deliberation, consulting with our own [Page 83] intimate vnderstandings, and aske them whether such an Act is worthy memory, or no: for many things we see and reade, which discretion would rather ha [...]e o­mitted, then to writing committed; we haue occasi­on sometimes to vnrip the tyrannicke liues of Princes, and their illimited affections, of dissolute gouerne­ments, and to what peculiar vices most engaged; yet in the summary rehearsall of these vices, we do oft­times (as an excellent Historian hath well obserued) Instruere malos, teach men to be euill, instructing them in the exercise of those impieties, with which be­fore they were scarce acquainted.

Thar memorable Law-giuer being demanded what punishment was to be inflicted on him, who should chance to slay his Father, or Mother: he answered them with, Haud equidem puto, &c. I do not think there can be any of so vnnaturall disposition.

Acts silenced sometimes doe better then if expres­sed: for the Curtaine of vices drawne, moues imitati­on rather than euitation: In distinguishing also of things good and necessary from their contraries, we should not mixe triuiall discourses in our maine Rela­tion: they much impaire and disparage the weight of an History, distracting the readers minde with imper­tinencies, where the subiect might of it selfe be bet­terStrange no­uelties draw attentiō, mo [...]e approbation, if probability be mixed in the Discourse. prosecuted; nor can any thing shew more indiscre­tion in an Author, then these vagaries, where attenti­on can no way be moued, the expectances of men sa­tisfied, or a reall delight with profite apprehended. At­tention (as that eloquent Orator noteth) is there the quickest, where we promise to speake of things, great, new, vn-vsuall, or of 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 themselues graue and ponderous) are not to be mixed with euery friuo­lous digression; the body of the History b [...]ing solid, [Page 84] should not depend of weake and infi [...]me 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 graue and firme compo­sition, there must be one necessary cau [...]at inferted: that whencesoeuer we draine the approbation of our Di [...]course (as from many, and those to our iudge­ment of the selected Authours) we reconcile their opinions, and make one vnited body of so many dis­persed parts. This I thought to caution (as well the Histories peruser, as the generallest Collectors of) be­cause I haue obserued this foule errour (and that in both Ancient and Moderne relations) where diuersOpinions dra­w [...]n from di­uers Authou [...]s should bee re­conciled. Authors were cited, and their seuerall opinions mar­shalled on a row: but as in a battell, when the wings be broken, there insueth nought but an vn [...]uersall confusion; so without reconcilement in the conclusi­on, he leaues the Reader in suspence, whose opinion to entertaine; because not directed by the Author.

This implies a double defect; either from stupidi­ty,A double d [...] ­fect, Obstinate and ignorant. not able to distinguish; or from a pertinacy, not willing to communicate his iudgement to others. The latt [...]r is more intollerable then the first; for the one in­cludes a na [...]iue defect, (which he would remedy if his apprehension could better it.) The other a malitious d [...]sire of ingrossing knowledge to hims [...]lfe; though both vnworthy of an Historicall place: for Ignorance deserues small entertainment in so iuditious an argu­ment: and a peruerse disposition much lesse, concea­ling his knowledge from his Countrey, which by his subiect it seemes he intended to benefite. In distingui­shing likewise, we should euer obserue to cull out such perspi [...]uous sentences, as comprehend most, yet least i [...] affectation: for such taste euer of singularity. Horten­sius was called by Pythias (for his too much gestu­ring)Vid. Aul. Gel. in Noct. A [...]ic. a profest Mimicke, a Dionysian: the same Ti [...]le may [Page 85] be giuen our curious Relators: th [...]y binde their sub­iectWords should bee accommo­date to the matter, not the matter to the words. to their words, esteeming no Discourse in it selfe worth iudicious obseruation, but what is replenished and full fraughted with polite sentences, making the matter indebted to the superficiall Art of the Com­poser.

These beseeme not a History, dilated circumstan­ces, instances too much stood vpon, an ambiguous leauing of some-thing vndetermined: They leaue the vnde [...]standing in doubt what to resolue, the iudge­ment what to thinke, the thoughts what to deliberate: So as our reading conferres no other profite, saue an int [...]icate [...]inding, or wr [...]athing, of many anxities vp together: Giuing the minde free scope to imagine the euent, being implyed by the Authour.

An Historian in his writings should haue a kind of seeming security, for his Stile and Order of Speech:Non [...]hi vani­tati sestiuitas proprie cedit. yet not so, (as to omit an exact or wittily composed ieast) to relish the Readers distaste: Such was Tacitus vse, by enterlacing the seriousnes of his tale, with some iudiciall, (but strangely briefe,) sentences: annexing some pleasant straine, either of me [...]re purpose inven­ted, or from the occasion of his Subiect deriued, to sweeten the heauier part of his discourse: which should not be too long insisted on, for that w [...]re trifling; but shadowingly touched, [...]or that implyes ple [...]ty of Subiect, not flying to tr [...]uiall relations, to make vp a greater Volume, but for the delight of the iudiciously affected: Misce [...]do v [...]ile dulci.

But alasse, where this distinguishing of iudgement of Histories requires great labour, it os [...]imes ob [...]aines as little fauour: The present age cannot admit of such discourses, they be too serious: So that whosoeuer should compile a Volume of Iudiciall Extractions, or approued Obseruances, should hardly haue as many Readers, as Persius coniectured for his Labours: Vel duo, v [...]l nemo: O ill disposed times! when iudgement [Page 86] goes a wool-gathering. [...] had two which he especially respected aboue the rest of his Nobles, and the one of them was a Mecenas, a Patron of learning, and a grace to the sacred influence of Poesie: But where should we finde an Atl [...]s for Pernassus in these daies, where Noble (yet degenerate Spirits) esteeme him that will be Pandor to his Punke, aboue him that will be Patron to a Poem: It seemes strange that in best experienc't times, where knowledge should be hightned, the foggy vapours of ignorance dispelled: Nay, where these times haue respite from warlike Alarums, and therefore may securely feede at Miner­uaes Table, should be so delighted with superficiall shadowes, contemning the perfect essence and lustre of man, (to wit) how to know himselfe. Here the Mi­ser digs (and with the Dormouse) sleepes out his time in a fruitlesse scraping; There the Prodigall (care­lesse of times expence) bastardizeth his fathers Pro­uidence, leauing no more to himselfe, then that he could not take from himselfe, a poore Graue: Heere the Ambitious man, displaying his pie-coulored flags of vanity (in the elation of his Spirit) contemnes the inferiour ranke of men, euer aiming at an higher sphere then popular presse, till his aspiring produce his falling, and the honour which he purchast with­out merite, 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 vp in the eye of the Miser (he would I doubt it not) gaze with his foure eyes on the Picture, but make little or no vse on the Patterne: The Ambitious man, if he saw the character of himselfe in that vast and indetermined minde of Catyline, in that ambitiously insinuating spirit of Sejan, I feare me he would rather make vse of the meanes of his rising then caution himselfe by his vntimely declining: The Prodigall (expressing his owne Mirrour, by Theo­timus [Page 87] errour) who preferred lust before his eyes, would (m [...]ch I feare it) rath [...]r da [...]ken the eye of his soule, to satisfie the eye of his body, then moderate hi [...] passions on earth, to reape the fruite of his mode­ration in heauen. O that these times would so distin­guish of their abuses, as being discou [...]red 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.

O let Histories, as they be Records of what were done, whether good or euill; excite vs to be good, and deter vs from being euill: Stories are replenished with ex­amples of both sorts, for they be Store-houses of pre­cedent euents, and consequently so to be obserued and digested, as the Iudicious Reader may better dis­pose of his euen [...]s. I haue noted in Discourses of this kind, the obseruance of that Generally Iudicious Gen­tlman, A Three-fold Discourse branched into a threefold Obseruance. and the best aduancer of depressed Learning, where he saith: Some Bookes are to be tasted, some to bee swallowed few to be chewed and dig [...]sted. Such as are to be tasted I comprehend, in S [...]ories of modest accom­plement, superficiall flourishes, garnishing our Dis­course modestly without vaine ostentation or braue­ry: Such are to be swallowed, as those Amorous, and fruitlesse labours of braine-sicke Authours, freighted with continuall hyperboles, comely in nothing but loue, Such are to be chewed and digested, as include discourse tending both to instruction and delight, &c,

So then heere we may come to our iudiciall point, we see and reade 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 profite, and the more meditated, the more beneficiall; which seemed well approued (and no lesse worthy our obseruance) by his institution▪ that [Page 88] wished [...]uery Reader to take these three remembran­cesThree obser­uances worthy our considera­tioninreading. in his way to reade: Libenter, Dilligenter, and Intel­ligenter; The first yeeldes a present delight, because it includes a willingnesse; the next a dilligent attention, implying a seriousnesse; the last an vse of both, enfol­dingVse of those three obser­uances. an vnderstandingnesse: These three attend a iu­dicious distinguishing of Histories, Iudgement 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 iudgement we may chuse the worst as soone as best, taking our aime onely at delight, without recourse to profite, best agreeing with the outward sence; Here is a want in the Election: without willingnesse, our rea­ding breeds a loathing; without dilligence, our dis­course is fruitlesse; and without vnderstanding, our minds be erring: And thus much for dijudicating of Histories, an essentiall part of this booke: I haue but summarily set downe my opinion (grounded on the collections of oth [...]rs) herein, that I might prosecute the former parts of my Diuision in the methode of this History, contracting much into a little Body.

The methode which I propounded to my selfe in the beginning, was first to describe the scope of Histo­ries: Secondly, the vse, fruite, and eff [...]ct of Histories in generall: and the third [...]xtracted from the second, was the parti [...]ular profite which redounded either to a Family in p [...]iuate, or administration of States in pub­liqueThe Methode prosecuted. by these Histories: For the first, being the ori­ginall whence the two others are dra [...]ned, I haue spo­ken sufficient: Longer (I confesse) was I enforced to insist vpon them, then my Volume (which I prescribed my selfe) would [...]dmit: But the many vses, subdi­uisions, and grounds naturally arising from them, en­enforced me to [...]rosecute the Argum [...]nt more fully: I entend now to handle the second part, to wit, The fruit & vse of history, the speciall'st motiue inducing reading.

[Page 89]The greatest and mouingst argument of perswasi­onVse of History. to the vndertaking of this or that, is the benefite we expect redounding from our enterprise: I will suc­cinctly expresse the seuerally mouing effects of pro­fite (the worldly mans Admant) from History, Natu­rally and Essentially deriued: 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 deuils chiefest Factours, and more benefite should I yeeld my Country in bringing in such a one, then in taking an Arch-pirate: From him descending to euery vitious professour (binding my selfe euer to my tackling) the fruite of History in it selfe able to reclaime the depra­uedst from their habituated enormities.

The Miser, that is indebted to both back and belly,The Misers profite by History. so engaged to the world, as he must haue his houshold God of the world, euer harboured in his bosome, or made his pillow to sleep on, the key of his rust: He that neuer fed Nature in all his daies with competen­cy; or durst recreate himselfe, for feare least his recre­ation should play cheater, and cosen him of his pro­uidence: being the moath of the vertuous, the har­bour of the vitious: carrying a conscience more infe­ctious then rats-bane euer about him, if euer he haue grace to cast his eye into an Historicall discourse (next to the Sacred Writ) he shall find as Soueragne 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 Vnction if it will not serue, I shall then apply more rough and sharpe plaisters.

Now Maister Miser, that is, meere wretched man, thou hast sufficient, and more then is competent for Nature, yet thou art not satisfied: A very, very little will serue thee for thy vse, for thou neuer hadst the [Page 90] Grace to know what an honest expence meant: Thou cautalizest thy selfe, amidst of plenty, [...]; Thou hast a good minde to be rich, but that's impossi [...]le:A Miser can­not be rich. Semper au [...]rus [...]get; There is a greedy [...]orme that is euer consuming and gnawing on thee: Thou [...]rt at li­berty, yet imprisoned, and in more intollerable serui­tude, then the miserablest captiue vpon earth; yet thy chaines are of Gold, thou art a gorgeous prisoner, Thou art subiected to more hazards then a Merchant Ven [...]urer, to more rightly-oppressing, and sur-char­ching cares, then an Emperour; to more hourely di­stractions, [...]nd terrible apparitions, then a Murtherer: Thou wouldst sleepe if thou couldst, but thy disturbed thoughts depriue 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 euer insa [...]iate.

I will leade thee into a spatious field of Histories, where thou shalt see thy immerited minde deblazo­ned in her colours, not a memorable instruction for Liberality (thy absolute Opponent) but shall be pro­duced for thy vse: that seeing the eminence of thy Ad­uersary, thou maist hate thy selfe, and be r [...]conciled a [...] last to thy foe.

The Liberall-hearted-man is as much Maister toA [...] i [...] two differ [...]t dispositions. himselfe, a [...] thou art thine owne Slaue: he surpasseth thee in vse of his owne, and can direct himselfe by an equall proportion, limited euer to a generally appro­u [...]d end: He hates to draw in the Sailes of his Bounty, in the presence of desert, and makes no more account of his owne, then 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 giue: He verefies the Verse (approuing a liberall mind: Quod nunquam dederit, non habuisse putat: He neuer was so farre engaged, or enthralled, to any [Page 91] earthy substance, as to make it chiefe-tane ouer his intellectuall part: he makes this his Position, and scornes it should be controuled by any inferiour sub­iect: To giue, and to delight i [...] giuing: And that dayThe Liberall mans Apho­risme. wherein, (to the moity of his fortunes) he hath not demonstrated the rare character of his bounty, he cries out with Ti [...]us, Amici, perdidimus diem: This day hath bene an ab [...]idgement of my generous intentions, a restraint to my extended mind [...]; I did n [...]uer show my selfe, lesse to be my selfe, then in this daies exigent: This is he who measures vertue for his meere peace and contentment, and not according to successe; he shows not his liberality for obseruance, but peculiar satisfaction, for he imagines no greater infelicity, then to be miserable; his promises are euer relatiues with his performances: He scornes to dissemble with theThe Character of a Liberall Man. world, he neuer annointed his tongue to enrich his fortunes, the perfect Idiome and Character of his Na­tiue Properties is already depictured: I will illustrate this Mirrour of Vertues with Examplary Mirrours, Professours of this Vertue: Reade but the ancient Ro­mane Annals you shall see many renowned for Libe­rallity, and in Syrac [...]sa too, for her eminence and ex­quisite Gouernment no lesse glorious: In Rome a Fa­bius Examples of Liberallity. Maximus: who willlingly forgoes his Patrimo­ny, to preserue his Countries reputation: Se enim P [...] ­trimonij, quam patriam fidei inopem esse malui [...]. Paula no lesse renowned, and in this more to be obserued, because a woman, whose sex implies a parsimony, releiuing the poore distressed Romanes (coupt vp in the walle [...] of Cann [...]) making her selfe poore, to adde power (by her bounty) to the afflicted.

Quintus Considius (of all most memorable) an Vsu­rerAn Vsurer ne­uer found his Countries friend. and Bountifull, a blacke Swan was neuer rarer: the Pagan Vsurer (it seemes) had a conscience, which our Christian Vsurer wants: for in that bloudy, and in­humane conspiracy of Catyline, second to none, our [Page 92] Moderne Counterbuffe, our Powder-treason, excep­t [...]: he remmi [...]ed all his Debtors, laying his Bils and B [...]nds vpon o [...]e pile, making a Bone-fire with them: where I make no question, but the Vsurers conti [...]uall Customers, the Poet Archias, and his eccho the A­ctor Roscius had reason to sweare: Quod nunquam ig­nem vidiss [...]nt clariorem: That they neuer saw a cleere [...], or m [...]re comfortable fire in all their dayes: It may be Considiu [...] did this, because he saw the disability of his Debtors ( [...]or those Ciuill Commotions had much empou [...]rished all Estates) and therefore in pollicy, once to exp [...]sse hi [...] bounty, thought it fittest to for­giueAn Vsurer bountifull against his will. them that, which they were not able to giue. More worthy is the memory of Quintiu [...] Flaminius, who in an Isthmiam triumph, in the presence of his Countries soe, the daring Phillip of Macedon, redee­med such as were Phillips Captiues at his owne charge: Worthy our obseruation it is, willing to an­swere so publique solemnity, with an vniuersall-con­cording harmony, making such free spectators, that were before in seruitude.

The modest Prince Hier [...] of Syracusa, who in meereExamples of bounty an o [...]gst the [...]. compassion of the slaughter of the Romanes, at the Lake Thrasimenus, sent to the afflicted remnant of that wofull Army, three hundred thousand Bushels of Wheate, two hundred of Barly, and two hundred and f [...]urty pound weight of Gold to releiue their wants, a [...]d manifest his royall bounty. I may annex the me­morable example of Gillia of Agrigentum, who wasPlanted is this Cit [...]y [...], on that [...] Moun­ [...]ame Agrag [...]s. rich in Mines, but much more rich in minde, alwaies rather inclined to distribute then scrape: so as his house (and that not vndeseruedly) was called Officina Muni­ficentiae, a Ware-house of Bounty, erecting monuments for publick vse, that the [...]ies of the people mightbe de­lighted with so gratefull spectacles. Here were prepa­red sumptuous feasts, yeelding and ministring food, & all other necessaries for the sustaining Nature, to all [Page 93] way-faring men, bestowing dowers vpon Maids, and reli [...]fe to the poore, ministring plenty of comfort (out of his royall Exchequer) to such as had sustained any detriment, or damage. To be briefe, he kept open hos­pitality,A Memorable instance of Hospitality. receiuing fiue hundred Cel [...]nsian Gentlemen at one time, by occasion of tempest driuen vpon 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) haue 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 vnrip thy owne casket, and see what worthy pictures thou hast lockt vp in it. I see many bagges of mould, but not one ragge of conscience: great Chests ram'd vp with inexorable barres, crammed with Aua­rice, Famine, and Oppression. Lucifer is thy Treasu­rer, and prouing a faithfull seruant: for he will not cheate thee for a world, lest he should loose his part of thee in the world to come. Thou committest to him the Keyes of thy Conscience; which opens and shuts vpon all occasions: He being one of thy Fami­ly, how canst thou chuse but be prosperous? Yet be­le [...]ue me, (thy end will be poore and miserable) not one of those many Angels thou possessest, like a good Angell, will guard, or giue thee so much as the least taste of Com [...]ort. I come not to instruct thee, like a Diuine, but to illustrate my Assertions by Histori­call Examples, which I haue here placed before thee, to deterre thee from their life, that thou mayest auoid their death.

Auarice, or (which is extended [...]urther) Mysery▪ was best exempli [...]ied in Hermon; who to decciue his owne friends, and depriue them of that which he made his god, at his death, made himselfe his owne Excecutor: This man would be loth to loose so pretious a friend, death must not part him and his riches. No que­stion [Page 94] but his opi [...]ion was, he might purchase himselfe a tabernacle of rest with his rust: and translated fromMiserable end [...] of misers. the vale of earth, might erect himselfe a mansion of pure gold, for he carried the stuffe with him. I could here produce infinite other examples, which to auoid tediousnesse I omit, and returne to our Discourse.

History may yeeld no lesse profite to the Prodigall, who makes himselfe the last of his name; who no soo­ner (yea oft-times sooner) then he hath shut his fathers eyes, opens his fathers Chest, and wipes away the re­membranceThe young mans maze. of his Fathers death, with the euidence & broad seale of hi [...] fathers loue: he had need of some direction. There be many mazes for the yong man: I haue knowne many exposed to all delights, and (as it were) sold vnder the gage of prostitution, who by Hi­storicall obseruations haue not onely reclaimed their former error, but grew singular mirrors of purity. No question, if Catyline, whose minde was euer subiectedO [...]r predeces­so [...]s vertues motiues of im­it [...]tion to illimited affections, had but perused the excellent relations of his noble predec [...]sor, he had not beene onely able to extinguish that common and vniuersall combustion, which his aspiring s [...]irit raised to con­sume his whole Countrey; but had beene memorable for his owne atchieu [...]ments: for the best of Roman Hi­storians (that I may vse the words of the best com­mentorQ [...]m propri [...] ­tatis seruantissi­mum, voc [...]t Gelliu [...]. vpon Crispius Salustus) saw thus m [...]ch into his disposition, that so long as he retired himselfe from tho [...]e factious and [...] spirits, Cethegus, Leutuli [...]s, with others of that hatefull consort, none shewd him­himselfe a more profitable member to the Common­weale, or more ready to endanger himselfe for her [...]; imploying his time in s [...]rious discourses; which not onely moderated his affections▪ but poised him to the equall ballance of a vertuous discourse: which af­terwards per [...]erted by the depraued suggestions of those Ruffi [...]s, reduced those faire beginnings to no­thing, & him to a miserable death, & perpetual i [...]famy.

[Page 95]The very same effect we see in all other vices (which wo [...]ld be w [...]ll extenuated) if vitiou▪ mi [...]des wouldHistories best discouerers of errors. apply themselues to these, and the like Discourses: we should haue our d [...]unkards see into their owne shame, deblazoned by the Epyrotes; our Epicures by the ra­uenous Vit ellij, spending their fortunes in pampering their worst houshold seruant; our carnall Brothellists, by those impudent prostitutes in N [...]roes time, who were neuer weary of their shame, till [...]heir publicke fil­thinesse ingendred a loathing in the professors them­selues: looke to th [...]se me [...]s ends. Oh how long might I prosecute this argument without want of copiou [...] discourse! Here producing an Helliogab [...]lus, general­lyInstances of famous delin­quents. hated for his i [...]satiate lust, and least pittied in that ebbe of his [...] (his miserable death) when men vse most to be pittied, being attended at his funerals with milit [...]ry reproaches: Here goe wee to bury a Dogge of distempered lusts: there a wanton Messali­na, r [...]warded with a death beseeming her. Here an a­spiring Sejanus, shaken with an vnexpected end, and made miserable in his best fort [...]nes, 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 blou­dy Perillus, expert in the inuention of cruell proiects, punished with the torture of his owne inuention: There a fleering Parasite, who circumvents himsel [...]e with his owne policie.

Such exemplary motiues be frequent in Histories, and able in themselues (if duly pondered) to e [...]force Nature from herselfe, and reduce man, prima [...]ily addi­cted to this or that vice, to a consideration of his own estate, wisely fore-seeing his owne danger by others misery; wisely cautioning the yong man to leuell his affections at an other scope, then the depraued intend­ments of the time wherein he liueth; making diffe­rence betwixt sence and reason: the o [...]e common to [Page 96] Beasts with men: the other a disiunct propriety onelyHistory the b [...]st tou [...]h­stone to diju­dicate [...]wixt what i [...] good and ill. to man from beasts: For Reason, the directresse of our vnderstanding, the limiter of our affectio [...]s wit [...]in ho­nest bounds, the Touch-stone to dijudicate what is good, from what is ill, the intellectuall Notion of the soule, should be euer the conductor of our fancies; which is best shewne, when (Antomedon-like) we canHow to be maisters ouer ou [...] selues. delineate V [...]rtue in no better shadow, then the Tablet of our owne hearts; expressing our selues the best by that, which makes our selues the best, to wit, in prose­cuting V [...]rtue with an earnestnesse, that in the end we may become maisters of our selues, gouernours of our affections, and right Signiors ouer our in-disposed fancies.

But to come more neere thee in this second part of my diuision, we must distinguish of the seuerall fruits and effects of History, directed to peculiar ends: As first, art thou a louer, and desirest to complement with thy beloued? Thou art in a dangerous way, and if thou wisely select not such Histories, as may (like soue­raignes) rather allay & moderate thy brain-sicke passi­on, then kindle the fire of thy sencelesse reason, be-lul­led with nightly apparitiōs of thy beloued faire one, to what exorbitances shalt thou be made subiect? 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 subiect so fitting thy humor, as amorous Son­n [...]ts, Historicall Relations, carolli [...]g out the discon­tents of vns [...]tisfied loue.

Leander swimming ouer Hellespont, to crop a blos­some alrea [...]y cropped. Achilles retiring disconten­ted for the losse of his Briseis, Agamem [...]on for his Chry­seis: Passions pro­ [...]ding from [...]-sicke louers, &c. these are subiects fit for thy Loue-sicke fancie; whereas opposites to loue, (Morall Relations, instru­cting thee in a more equall & reasonable path) wo [...]ld better cure thy disease, and bring thee to an vnderstan­ding [Page 97] of thy selfe. Absence (we say) from our Mistresse, makes vs most forgetfull of her; and lest we thinke of her when we discourse of Arguments least concer­ning her; whilest reading Idle pamphlets, the very bane and canker of Youth, and Age too: for Age is asA Louer [...] [...] ­phonesis. subiect to dotage, as Youth to fancy; putting vs in minde of our former distracting passions, crying: Nec m [...] minor vrget a [...]or: with hard-hearted Mistresse, in­constant Dame, fickle in affection, inconstant in thy resolution, shedding as many teares as would drowne our Mistresse, if she were not so light, as she is able to beare herselfe aboue water. Alasse poore louer! and whereto so many fruitlesse wishes, so discomfortabl [...] laments, so discordant ecco's of redoubled sighes, Aye me vnhappy? Thou knowest not how these rea­sonlesse perturbations make thee more lothed then loued, more intranced then fancied; and more belea­gred with passions a-new, then to salue those passions wherewith thou wast tormented of old.

Reade the continent life of Zenocrates, dedicated wholly to chastity; not a Lais (though neuer so mo­tiue) can induce him to gage his reputation to a harlot. Reade me the noble disposition of Scipio Affrican, who scorn'd to make himselfe a slaue to his fancie, theLook vpon the History of An­tony and Cleo­patra. royall minde of that potent Alexander, who would not captiue [...]is affection to his Captiue: the vndestained resolution of the Matron Antonia, wife to Drusus; that chaste Tragedian Sophocles, who being demanded, whether he euer applied his minde to sensuall affecti­ons,Vid. Val. Max. lib. 4. cap. 30. replied; Dij meliora: Heauen forefend a strumpet should put on a Tragicke Buskin. These continent re­lations will reduce thy stragling motions to a more setled and retired harbour.

But yet I must proceed further; Art thou ambiti­ous, and hast both wings and will to flye? Thou art soaring with Icarus, and thy waxen wings (no questi­on) must be dissolued with Icarus: he gaue a sea a [Page 98] name: but thou hast a sea in thine owne braine, tho [...] art floting, and (Camelion-like) feedest vpon the air [...] of thy own [...] fancy: Thou art now for building a se­cond Pyr [...]mides in the aire; and no doubt but thou wouldst p [...]rfect thy intentions, if death preuent thee not.

Thou [...] a vaine foole, thou seest many daily decli­ [...]ing meri [...]s vnd [...]seruing, raised to height aboue them­selues: not a Senator, or sage Purple Father, but sub­iected to an vndese [...]uing censure: and what is the cause? Why, honour procureth censure; and yet thou art well, serued w [...]ll, safely retired, not enuied, nor maligned by [...]he opposites of greatn [...]sse; and yet thou desirest (like another Phoe [...]s) to shine in the eye of the Court, to shew thine owne admiration by a vaine flourish, commenting on thine owne per [...]ections, which need some exposition▪ [...]or they cannot demon­strate themselues. Alas [...]e, how strangely art thou trans­ported aboue thy selfe! not apprehending how the meanes of rising oft-times procure an vnexpected fall. Consider thy owne vnb [...]idled desires, and seeke to re­pr [...]sse them, I pray thee do; and take this obseruance with thee: Neue [...] looke into, either Moderne Histo­ries, or An [...]ient, for the proiect [...], how they grounded the foundation of their plots; but aime at the end and euent of their designes, what issue they had: there thou shal [...] see a Caesar reign [...] long, and attaine the very height of his hopes; yet his continuance [...]bridged, and his new-established Monarchy (in himselfe) qui [...]e rui­nate [...] fall of [...]. in a stab. Here a Sejanus (who was [...]) a great hunter after cruelty, become the last of his aspi­ [...]ing desires, and the sponge ( [...]s Taci [...]us obserueth) who being squised, only en [...]iched his Emperours fortunes, and made himselfe miserable by his owne fall: for am­bitious men, who leap to greatnesse, for the most part, hop without heads, and too late repent their mad­nesse.

[Page 99]To run [...] euery vice pa [...]ticularly, would require a [...] ampler of themselues, then I haue allot [...]dThird Branch. Particular profit drawne from History to particular persons. my [...]. Proceed I must to my third branch, The par­ticular profit [...] which redounds to euery priuate stat [...] or fami­ly, from discourses of this nature. I know that the naturall deprauation of man is such, as that he fixeth his minde vpon that, which (for the most part) conferres least profite, and most delight: this is liuely exemplified e­uen in Historicall Discourses; where we shall see men (for the most part) rather addicted to fabulous Trauels, the suruey of str [...]nge and neuer-heard of Ilands, pro­digious sights, Monsters, Chymera's, and meere ima­ginary fancies, then to such narrations as might mini­ster instruction [...]nd benefite to euery particular Rea­der. Some we see delighted with the strange and in­credible miracles of Mandeuill: others with the vi­ctorious combats of our Beuis of South-hampton: o­thers,What fabu­lous Histories more suff [...]red then approu [...]d more conuersant with the tragicke Histories of our time (prodigies in part meerely inuented.) And last of all (which in my iudgement is worst of all) o­thers with the phantasticke writings of some supposed Knights, (Don Quixotte transformed into a Knight with the Golden Pestle) with many other fruitlesse in­uentions, moulded onely for delight without profite. These Histories I altogether exclude my Oeconomy, or priuate family; I haue culd out more beneficiall Dis­courses for youth [...]o employ themselues withall; pro­ducing a subiect from the pure Cabbin of Truth: not from the brain [...] of euery Quackesaluer, that runs out his inuentions by selling lyes at grosse-sale.

To expresse our Latine Authors I need not, so much is our Countrey be [...]ited by Translators, as the Neat­heard in this Houell may discourse as well of Corneliu [...] Tacitus (if he [...]now his mothers tongue) as our best Latinist. In my opinion no Argument better for in­struction then that Authour: and if I should dwell vp­on one, I had rath [...]r insist vpon his phrases (though [Page 100] seemingly perplexed) then any other Roman Authour, how perspicuous soeuer.Vid. in vit. Neron.

Tranquillus writes true, but he vnrips the immode­sties of the time with too long discourse vpon euery particular vice. Nothing (saith Quintillian) can be e­steemed more perfect, then the elegancy and breuity of Salusts speech (Presertim apud vacuas & eruditas au­res)Aul. Gel. in Noct. Attic. and I assent to his opinion; the singularity of his phrase was (which may seeme strange) without affe­ctation: so Aulius Gellius (a very Aristarchus for the search of Antiquities) testifieth of him. Neither was [...]abius afraid to entitle him, The chiefe of the Roman Hi­storians, as Thucydides the Prince of the Grecians. Yet in these Histories there is an exactnesse of vnderstan­ding required; and more do their writings conduce to state-affaires, then priuate and domesticke employ­ment.

I will retire my selfe to such as may yeeld the reader no little profit by consideration had to the iudgments of God; modestly mixing morall instructions with a sweet variety of diuine 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 vpon infallible truths, as in that respect [...] [...]. they may seeme to merite a morally diuine Title. Iose­phus works I esp [...]cially entertaine into my Family, as best describers of the iudgments of God, expressers, to [...] in the [...] wa [...]re giue a [...] [...] b [...]u­ty to the Dis­cours [...]. [...] is said to haue his Tents there first pit­ched wh [...]re our Sauiour was taken. the life, of an obdurate and stiffe-necked generation. Here to behold the incomparable beauty of that glo­rious Temple (the type of the Coelestial Temple) foun­ded by that wisest of men, & that peace of Princes, Sa­lomon, defaced, and that Citty which was once called, The Citty of the great King, demolished, and laid leuell with the ground. Then to direct our eye to the won­derfull iudgments of God in raising ciuil discords, and mutinies amongst the Iewes themselues, the greatest means of their subuersion, the main predictiōs of their [Page 101] ruine and vtter destruction, before these warres cameIn Mo [...]tem Oli­uarum castra metans, &c. vpon them, yet their impieties not a whit lessened, their arme of sinne shortned, or remorse of consci­ence excited: no refuge to the Religious, but defence to the wicked in euery place of the Cit [...]y ministred: Then surueigh 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 themselues (an occurrent remarkeable) com­mitting no lesse Massacres vpon themselues, in the ceasing of warre, th [...]n the Romanes did in the heate of warre: Being wholly exposed to tyrannicall Factions in the Citry; to expose themselues to Romane serui­tudeThe iudgment of God in that History most remarkeable. more easily. These examples of Gods Iustice, are worthy our obseruation, to admonish vs of our p [...]culiar duties, carefull how we offend, serious in the administration of Iustice: For how should we think he will spare the Wilde Vine, that hath thus dealt with his owne Naturall Vine? When he hath delt 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 fauours srom heauen, dressed and pruned, yet behold the wilde Boare hath rooted it vp: Et seges est vbi Troia fuit: The truth of that History is so vndoubted, as besides his owne con­cordance in relating, there is none that euer 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 affect [...]d, 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, worthy and memorable: as Nicepho­rus, Diuine Histo­ries. Evagoras, Socrates, &c. For their Diuine examples plentifull, the successe of the Christians amidst the tirannies of the cruellest Emperours wonderfull: the [Page 102] diuerse sorts of [...] by those Tyrant [...] inuen [...]ed, pittifull; and [...]he dismall and terrible end of those Bloud▪suckers, fearefull. Heere thou shalt see an [...] [...] aboue himselfe, with the acclama­tion [...]. of his people: Not the voyce of Man, but of God: A [...]d presen [...]ly behold [...]is pompe conuerted into loathsomnesse, his precedent ioy, to a subsequent pen­siuenesse, and the [...]xcellency 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 deiected: Nay, if we would obserue the whole current of their Histories, we shall see in them that God euer vsed to recompence the offendour with a punishment of the l [...]e nature: Nic [...]phorus reports, how Herodias daughter hauing begged the head ofAn [...]. Punis [...]ment alluding to the condition of the fact. Iohn Baptist, chanced on a time to go ouer a maine Ri­uer, frozen ouer with Ice, where the Ice presently par­ting receiued her, and meeting againe cut off her head, a true and euident testimony of Gods iudge­ment.

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 reuerently of the Bowels of CHISTS Co [...]passions: but what end came of this miserable Atheist: His bowels fell out of [...]. his belly being thrust through with a Iaueling, con­fessiing the power of God with a regreate, saying: Vicisti ô Galilee, &c. yet vouchsasing 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 Diuine Power of heauen, yet the History records, that Feare was the greatest occasion of his death, no, that he di­ed by a voluntarry feare, very iealous of the Aire, least it should peirce his Braine.

[Page 103]These examples extracted from infallible grounds, may seeme the iudicious vnderstanding of the Gra­uest, and fittest for Priuate Families, where order is best attained by examples: We vfe most to be moued, when we see the end of such a man, to caution vs; who hauing led his life securely, concludes the periodV [...]d. Lud. vinem de educ. virgin. 1. lib. of his daies as miserably: And some haue I knowne euen of the discreetest and most vertuous parents, who to deter their children from Drunkennesse, vsed (like as the Epirotes did with their children) to hang the pi­ctureAn vsuall meanes o [...] re­claiming drun­kards from their bestiall filthiness [...]. of a Hog wallowing in a filthy pudle, with this Inscription on it:

The lasciuious and sensuall worldling, deciphered with this character: Myrha hanging in a chaine ofEuery vice briefly deci­phered. gold about her father Cyneras bed, with this Impressa.

The miserable wretch that makes his gold his God, best expressed by Menedemus, with his Spade, deluing and digging for life, with this Mo [...]r:

Trewest deciphering os all vices, proceeding from the exemplary [...] of delinquents, committing what they like, and at last feeling what they like not:Oeconomicall [...], [...] priuate families how to be dispos [...]d. The best gouernment in priuate, proceeds from Hi­stories, and the serious reading thereof: the vertuous Ma [...]ron squaring her course, by that modestest of Ro­man [...] Dames Lucretia, making her (colum her thorum) her Distaffe, her best companion in her bed, when her husband was absent: No vitious minde can de­praue her, she is fighting at home with her owne pas­sions, [Page 104] whilst Colatine her husband, fights in the field against his Countries enemy: But you shall see Lentu­lus and Aruns, their [...]iues rioting, and reuelling, in their husbands absence.

If our Historians, now a daies, would employ their Lampes and Oile in the deliuery of profitable History, such as might rather tend to the cherishing of the vn­ripned blossomes of vertue, then the nipping of them: How happy members were they, yea: that I may vseHistorian [...] most p [...]osita­ble to th [...] Common­ [...]. Salusts words, though they retired themselues from publicke affaires, yet; Maius commodum ex eo [...]tio, quam ex ali [...]rum n [...]gotijs Reipub: venturum: Yet such haue beene the depraued humours of former times, that the best Obseruors and Relators, haue purchased little, saue enuy, for their Labours: No, the very chie­fest Historians haue opposed themselues one against another.

Titus Liuius was so violent against poore Salust (asEnmity a­mongst Histo­rians them­selues. Seneca obserueth) as he obiected that certaine things, Transcribed by Salust out of Thucydides, though ele­gantly applyed, yet by him depraued and corrupted; which Aurelius Fuscus also, noteth to be done, as it were, of set purpose by Salust, to derogate from the excellency of Thucydides Writings: A meere detracti­on to such a worthy Authour: But what workes me­riting emulation, haue not euer had enuy for their at­tendants. I conc [...]iue the reason to proceed from that of Hesiod, who inferreth in Professions, none to be more apt to en [...]y one another, then such as be of one Trade: Figulus figulum odit: True, for where either sin­gularityHesiod 1. lib. is required, or hope of gaine, there enuy is euer shooting her impoisoned Arrowes: And (for the most pa [...]t) [...]nuy raigneth there most, where our la­bours deserue most: The low Mushrome is seldome touch [...]d by the violence of any Tempest, but the pee­ring Cedar is euer exposed to all vehemencies. For the particular vse of Histories, and their f [...]uite, I haue [Page 105] gathered these Obseruances, extracted from a iudici­ous Writer: Expert he was in all Histo [...]icall Rela [...]i­ons, as his apt similitudes more fully demonstrate: what they are I haue heere set downe, and as con­tractedly (as I could imagine) for the benefite of cue­ry vnderstanding Reader.

If History comprehend in it any ceertaine docu­mentsA compendi­ous discourse of the gene [...]all profite of H [...] ­story. for the instruction of mans life, I suppose it ex­pedient for all men; as well to select and make vse 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 ieopardy: chusing out examples of all kind, which thou maist apply vnto thy owne peculiar vse, vpon all occasions: And whereas History, is conuersant of­times in the secretest counsels, importing the weigh­tiest affaires of the greatest Persons: we that are men do with greatest appetite couet them, as likewise to be interressed in their euents, 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 con­ceiue the causes of euils, either priuate or publique; or in euery hard and difficult assay, to haue a president before our eyes, of such things as were t [...]yed before vs, or which were in hazard before they were attemp­ted by vs: And that I may speake all in one word; to iudge of things present, by things past, which is the property of a wise man, and discreetely to fore-see of what is to come by all succeeding euents. But it be­commeth vs, to come so much the better furnished, by how much our History is with all fruits better [Page 106] fraught a [...]d replenished: And whereas there is the ve­ry same difficulty in iudging rightly, as well of our owne, as anothers life; there is none that can duely (how piercing-ei'd soeuer) iudge of anothers life, that hath not measured his owne: of both sides it is to be implyed, that not onely a maine difficulty is heere placed, but also before we be to this History ad­dressed, it is required necessarily, that we be not one­ly endued with a certaine Ciuill Wisdome and Mode­ration, but also to haue our liues grounded on a setled inten [...]ion vnle [...]se we will be miserably, and that per­petually, deluded with the vaine illusions of this life.

For euen as it fares in a most sumptuous and royallAn apt simili­t [...]de. Banquet, replenished with all sorts of dainties, one thing seemes delightfull to one which is distastfull to another, sew things are liked of all, euery one being best pleas [...]d with his owne, though all dishes be alike to the Glutton: And as euery one's appetite is, so is he affected; yet there is a meane (which Nature hath ordain [...]d) and a certaine kind of nourishment, which in it selfe is meerely simple and vncorrupted, and best agreeing with our bodies: From which, whosoeu [...]r departeth so, as he crammeth himselfe aboue the bounds or determination of Nature, will finde more in conueniency then profite in it: So in this diuersity of mans life, though the [...]e be a thousand formes, and a thousand purposes, and as euery one is resolued in minde and iudgement, so he iudgeth of his owne and anothers life: yet there is one onely path of ver­tue, which whosoeuer keepeth and obs [...]rueth wisely, he onely maketh vse of his life really. Others, as in a doubtfull supper, when they inuite themselues to all pleasures, can neither find out in themselues or others what might deserue imitation, or whereto they might make recourse: But if there be any thing giuen to man by Nature, which is in his power to vse [Page 107] well or ill, it behoueth him to vse great circum­spection in the vse thereof: But what is he I pray thee, that will vse more exact consideration in all his words and works (by the direct line of vertue) then in the vse of such meates as are set before him? And who thinks not himselfe sufficiently instructed herein? In which how wonderfully are men deceiued? Supposing that Discourse to be History, which teacheth the Reader, ministring to him matter of learning (yet so) as a Ban­quet ministreth vse and appetite to euery 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 haue no other scope in all Histories, then with which our Generous Musitions, vs [...] to passe time away, vpon their Instruments, employed in reading onely, to spend their weary houres, which be presently encountred with more wearisomenesse: For there is no Nulla volupta [...] est quae non res­picit virtutem. pleasure in it, which hath no reference to Uert [...]e, the glitt [...] ­ring obiect of glory and ambition exciteth others, and that which showes a flexibility of minde in all other things, vainely transports them to euery braue and eminent image, forgetfull how glorious and remarke­able examples are produced by Writers; not onely to follow vertue, and contemne honour offered vs; but if a Competitor were admitted vs 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 themselues a certaine kind of excellency, arrogating much to themselues, and resembling those Tragedians, who imitate the State of such persons they represented, after they haue put off their Habits.

There be also (but of these there be but a few) [Page 108] [...]hom new, and vnacustomed things do delight (men [...]f vulgar apprehension) who hearing the State of Emperors, for the most part, more esteeme the Purple then the Man, the Picture the [...] the Work: So effectu­all [...] in ti­t [...]lis & imagi­ni [...]s. a force, doth History exercise, and imprint in the minde of the Reader.

Now it is the scope, and draught of all Histories to excite mans sloth, and to arme him against all dangers; a [...]d 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 themselues are memorable and worthy obseruatio [...]) be read and heard with a deafe and care­lesse [...]are.

To briefe, there be some also (which on [...] would hardly thinke) offend in a more seuere, and critticke kind of reading: As if things should not be writ as they were done, but as they ought to haue beene done. Where [...]ore, partly by this curio [...]ity, partly by that secu [...]ity (the very surfet of confused and rash rea­ding) it commeth to passe (as in a body pestred with corrupt humors) that a certaine [...], or ill disposi­on of iudgement and opinion, which ought especi­ally to be sound and sincere in the course of our life, and a [...] or bad temperature, conuerting all food into ill humours, vseth to be contracted in vs: And as meate auaileth such as be distempered nothing, so no prosite at all by these meanes is ministred to our reading.

I suppose thou s [...] est how the very same reason is in reading History, & disposing the course of thy life: but this is certainly the greatest difficulty (to wit) the per­ [...]ersenes of our iudgmēt, which is the speciali'st cause; that we are not moued with examples as we ought, [...]ut what way as our minds is inclined and affected [Page 109] most: and this difficulty is no lesse then the other: for­asmuch as writers so desc [...]ibe things done, as they doArtificium be­neuolentiae col­ligendae habe [...] ­tes. not onely [...]arry fauo [...]r, but follow their owne ap­petites (like some Builders) euer interposing their owne peculiar iudgements, (of their owne accord) praising some things, (though not praise-worthy;) and whatsoeuer liketh them, they imagine it worthy approbation: which (surely) if they did simply, it were easie to consent or dissent vnto them. But euen as Cookes (for the most part) do more respect their Mai­stersGulam s [...]pius quam commo­dum Heri spe­ctant. palate then his profite: Euen so an Historian (I could wish the most did not so) applies himselfe to the appetite of the Reader. We are oft-times therfore de­luded by these two meanes, our owne Iudgement, and the preiudice of the Author, not laying things o­pen and naked, as they were done.

An Historian is the best interpreter of Acts atchie­ued; whose iudgement, i [...] it chance to be corrupt, it commeth to passe, as when Wine (of it selfe neat and generous) taketh either some wa [...]t of the Caske, or is corupted by some other distast, which either proceeds frō an imposture, or folly great & intollerable. We may see in one onely example, the iudgement of the writer: The prophane Historian ascribeth the [...]uents of seri­ous and weighty affaires, to the councell and industry of men; al-be-it he hath sufficiently tried how fowly those men were deceiued in the euents. Hence it is that men be drawne to great [...]olly; that they, whose knowledge was scarce sufficient for the consideration of things subiected before their eyes; and whose force and strength not much [...] little Worm [...]s, should by one small successe arrogate the gouernment of the whole world vnto them. But a good Historian teacheth thus: Things (saith he) are purposed by Man, but [...], and moderated by God; whereby he riddeth the scrupulous reader both of folly and superstition (a mischi [...]fe no less [...] then the other:) and in all other pro­ [...] [Page 110] good Historians (whose studies are onely consecrated to holinesse) ought not to be ignorant of the Agent and Instrument wherein they differ, and what be their seuerall effects: the one mouing, and the other moued. But especially I admonish thee to this end; that whereas I obserue many Authors of that kinde, who for their exceeding force of innumerable examples, deserue to be read; I could wish that the No [...]ice-reader discusse with himselfe as circumspectly and seriously as he can by proposing to himselfe both the fruits which might redound, & the dangers which might occurre him in his reading: For to one that runnneth ouer all Histories cursorily, or who rashly and vnaduisedly spends his time without any exact ob­seruance, of priuate or publicke duties, it commeth to passe as to Countrey Clownes, who in sacking of a neighbour Citty, take spoile of some Apothecaries shop well furnished with all receits; where, prouoked with the sweetnesse of some iunkets or spices, being the first that came to their hands, and imagining the rest to be of the same sort, they swallow, sup vp, deuoure, 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 Go­uernment of Mans life consisteth onely in the vse of his life.

In these Collections, as in a most cleare mirror, may our yong Ga [...]lant see into his errors: he shall be of necessity forced to distaste himselfe, till he haue re­linquished his mid-night reuels, surceased from his licentious meetings, and reduced his disconsorting passions vnto a calme & retired harbour; here the pub­licke Magistrate shall be able to dispose of him­selfe, and Office deputed vnto him; seeing matters [Page 111] worthy imitation, and precepts worthy the Grauest and Ripest Consideration: one to Instruct, others to Correct, and all to make per [...]ct this whole module of Man.

The Philosophers Axiome is: Om [...]e quod non ens est, malum est. And worse then no being, (hau [...] they) who measure out their liues without a due proportion drawne from others, and applied to themselues In­structionInstruction the light of vnderstanding is the light of Being, the directresse of Li­uing, and the best Schoole-mistresse that disciplines vs dying: States publicke are managed by her, Offi­ces priuate admistred by her, and the wisest men haue desired to possesse her. No Beauty more permanent, Gemme more eminent, or Treasure more excellent; It beautifies it selfe, and no Phydias could euer portray any picture so well as i [...] 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) laid open and naked.Histories mir­rors for all states. The Prodigall reades, and sees himselfe r [...]presented in another person, he sees the miserable end of others, which (vnlesse he will fall with open eyes) must needs caution himselfe: he sees haire-brain'd courses, leaue both patrimony and reputation behinde them: Pene­lopes Woers, euer woing, neuer winning. The misera­ble wretch, that pincheth himselfe to enrich his vn­thankfull posterity, may see the fruit of gathering per­di [...]ion to himselfe, and oft-times occasion of ruine and speedy desolation to his surfeitting heire. Here the braue Souldier seeth his owne fame; acts duly and ful­ly expressed: not a famous exploite (deseruing memo­ry) must be silenced, but the very name of the Agent, ( [...]o excite others the more) must be r [...]corded. Here the effeminate Milke-sop, that fights best vnder his La­dies flagge, first man that will come to a lasciuious Banket, but last that will come to a pitched field: he [Page 112] (I say) must shew himselfe, though smally to his cre­dite:Histori [...] must n [...]t [...]. yea, Alcybiades (though otherwise well deser­uing of his Countrey) must be set out in his ignomi­nious death, as well as his memorable life; giuing vp the Ghost in the lappe of his Concubine Tymandra.

Absolute Histories will not admit of the least con­cealement; but representing euery Act, Person, and Euent, vse to illustrate what is worth insisting vpon, o­mitting (or at least cursorily passing ouer) more fruit­lesse subiects: and how delightfull may it seeme to e­uery iuditious man, when in reading of Ancient Re­cords, he conferres the stratagems of warre then vsed, with the present obseruance of this time: sees (and seeing) notes the sundry dispositions of men, how no­ble in themselues, and how generally esteemed inuin­cible, by a sudden conuersion laid low, beneath the stirrop of Fortune, and made a spectacle of Fate. Then to obserue states, better gouerned in their decline then 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 Gouernements were their Tributaries, then they began to stoope most vnder their burden; and pressed with their owne grandeure, seemed to imitate the Phoenix, who weary of her selfe, desired to haueRome in her decay compa­red [...] the [...]. her ashes renewed, but her selfe extinguished. What ambitious Tyrants proud of their owne strength, and secure of diuine power, are laid flat in the height of their expectancies: so as where they pla [...]ted the foun­dation of their hopes, there they were most defeated, to expresse the prouidence, & all-working Maiesty of God, who disposeth of all gouernments, pulling downA Christian consideration of the power and [...] ▪ of God. the tyrannicall Empires, and setting wise and discreet Princes in their place; and no motiue (of prophane writings) more effectuall then Histories, to draw vs to a consideration of ou [...] selues, and the Maiesty of God, whose excellencie beautifies this vniuerse, teaching vs [Page 113] to admire, and (in our admiration) to tremble and feare, having recourse to the incomprehensible iudge­ments, and secret counsels of the Almighty.

Euery priuate Family may draine hence vnspeake­ableProfit deriued from Histories to priuate Fa­milies. profit, obseruing the diuers casualties, and muta­bilities subiect to euery one that is interessed especial­ly in matters of state; preferring their owne priuate, and free life, before popular admiration, so intangled with continuall incertainties. Here may the poore Husband-man, at his leasure, receiue tidings from forraigne Courts: here may he learne what difference there is betwixt the Coulter and the Scepter, the Share and the Shield. Here may the Marchants Wife,Merces dome­stica in coniugio longinqua in na­uigio [...]ita est. pitty her poore Husband, tossed with so many aduerse windes, inuironed with so sundry dangers, and exposed to so miserable aduentures, 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 euery hazard. Here the wife of the valiant Souldier may see what difficulties her distressed husband is exposed vnto, heat, cold, watching, hunger, thirst, al inconueniences, to propagate the glory of his Country, & purchase himself a name eternally memo­rable. His poore family hath reason to poure out their prayers for his deliuerance, and thankfully ascribe all glory to the power of heauen for his safe returne. To be briefe, what particular estate not engaged to Rela­tionsThe descripti­on of a Mari­ners danger. of this nature? The Mariner seeth his dangers; & seeing them, obserueth the influence of the starres, and planets, the Orion and the Pleiades; yet in all these ob­seruances, he gathers there is a Power aboue, whom the sea and windes obey: to him therefore, as (the ex­pertestThe Souldiers discipline by Histories. Pilote) he flies for succour, finding no harbour more secure, no repose more safe. The Souldier sees into the Discipline of Armes; and (by History) appre­hends [Page 114] how a small handful of men haue oft-times con­quered an Army, to the iudgement of man inuincible: he sees into it, and admires the wonderfull power of God, who worketh oft-times directly against all meanes, to teach vs 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 seeth into the riches of the whole Earth, how it pleaseth God to subiect all things to the seruice of man, to the end man might onely re­serue himselfe for the seruice of God: he obserues the exceeding fauours of Heauen shewne vpon Earth, and he collects hence, that those ioyes, those comforts & exceeding treasures which he keepeth for the Elect in Heauen, must needs be great aboue all comparison. Si [...]anta solatia in die lachrymarum, quanta conferet in die nuptiarum? These considerations must of necessity moue him to play the good Merchant, who fin­ding one gem of price, will sell all and b [...]y it. Euery priuate houshold is a little kingdome within it selfe, and needs instructions (though not soe consequently serious) as the greatest palace, and royallest Empire: order must be obserued in the one, as well as in the o­ther, a Principality in both, and a subiection to both. What fitter for the housholder to traine his children, seruants, and attendants in (next Diuine writ) then theAll Arts may be reduced to noble atempts and condigne fortunes by their owne professions. reading of profit [...]ble Sto [...]ies, such as excite to vertue, and stirre vp their mindes to the vndertaking of some thing worthy a resolued spirit. I know the base min­ded Groome hearing the prosperous successe of Luci­us Quintius, who was chosen one of the Patricij from his plow stilt, and afterwards by his valour and mag­nanimity, reserueth 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 rip vp the bo­some [Page 115] of the earth, when he may purchase himselfe more fame by the deblazing his honour vpon earth. The home-spun Sheepheard hearing the renowned Acts of Romul [...], fed and brought vp among Sheep­heards: and of Cyrus, who bare himselfe a Prince a­mong Sheepheards, will cast away sk [...]ippe and sheepe­crooke, and behaue himselfe a worthy successor in their profession. The Gardiner hath an Emperour of his profession to imitate, and an honest one too, as his name implies, to wit, Probus. The Wood-man, or For­rester, a Pompilius. The Diuiner, a Zoroastres, and the Philosopher, an Anto [...]ius. But many haue we, that we may better imitate then Princes: as their state was e­minent, so were their natures depraued. Wee shall read that many of them were as good Law-breakers,Royall Errors. as Law-makers; and the greatest vices appeared least, (though most approued) in greatest men. They had e­uer vertuous pretences to shadow vice: sin became clothed in Tissue. We shall see impunity of offence to be a great supportresse of them, presuming still on the kings mercy, & squaring their course to his discipline: for subiects loue to imitate their Prince, either in vice or vertue: But more are there inclined to the worst thē the best, making this conclusiō, through long & inue­terate custom of sin: which Medea with that cunning & quaint discourse seemed to compasse, with this sub­tile preparation, laying this grand-hold of procee­ding: Fructus est scelerum tibi nullum sceleris putare: A Position of Machiauel: Wherein euery iudiciousMachiuels Po­sition. Reader may gather the admirable and inscrutable wisedome of God, frustrating their deuices, anhila­ting their purposes, neuer bringing their designes to effect: yea, which is more worthy our obserua­tion, making there the most fooles, where they thought themselues to be most wise: For their polli­cies either in gouerning, or establishing Empires, [Page 116] How farre short haue their purposes euer come to effects. Examples I could produce many of this nature, as well Diuine as Morall.

How safe thought Cyrus himselfe established in his new Translated Monarchy, when behold his secu­rity ends as miserably, as his beginnings had a flou­rish of seeming happinesse: Vnfortunate he was to be depriued of his hoped-for Greatnesse, by a Sex so weakely effeminate: Soucing that head (which was Head to a powerfull Gouernement) in a Tunnell of bloud, with this bitter inuection: Satia te sanguine quem diu sitij [...]ti, cuius (que) insatiabilis semp [...]r fuisti. Iust. 1. lib.

The like of his successour Cambyses, who hoping to plant himselfe in a royall Throne by bloud, miserably ended his owne life by his owne bloud. An excellentIpse enim gladio sponte sua eua­gin [...]to in femo­re grauiter vul­n [...]ratus, [...], Ibid. and notable example of a sacrilegious and bloud­thirsty-Prince, who sought to establish himselfe by indirect meanes, (to wit) by the murther of his owne naturall brother Mergis. I insist lo [...]ger vpon exam­ples because I haue oft-times found that sentence of Demosthenes to bee most true: [...].

These examples being best motiues vnto piety, andExamples best motiues to pi­ety, confirmed by the O [...]ator Demosth. indeed more forcible, in that we haue two occasions in exemplary precedents of imitation; the one to cau­tion vs not to do this or that, least we fall into the like punishment, being attended on by the like meanes: The other (like a sweete lenitiue) inducing vs by rea­sons drawne from profit, which we conceiue may re­dound any way by the like examples, which the Poet seemes to illustrate when he saith: Exemplo alterius qui sapit ille sapit.

The greatest benefite in priuate, I imagine to be drawne likewise, from the right and exact vse of Hi­story: which particular good I haue ranked in the se­cond place, and that is this: In priuate to behold the sun­dry [Page 117] dispositio [...]s of Princes and people: Reasons whereof cannot be giuen, but onely from the temperature of the Region wherein they liue: Which reasons drawne from coniecturall grounds are oftimes deceiued in themse [...]ues; as in disposing or ordering of States to the square of wisedome.

This benefite I haue gathered, and placed in the rereward: Last obseruances (I know) take greatest impression, and none more needfull then this: when we shall haue commerce with any people, then to call to mind their disposition, least we incurre a greater mischiefe through our ignorance. Strangely iealous are some Nations, they haue Actaeons eyes, perchance his eares: We must shew our selues modestly bashfull toward such; euery lasciuious 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 wiues reputation, seeme respectlesse of their shame, or the hostage of honour, so they may encrease their estate, and raise their fortunes out of honours ruines. Other people we know to be of a surly, proud, and in­tractable nature, liuing more by their owne will (ma­king it their Law) then the square of Reason. Others seemingly humble, more dangerous farre then the other; vnder pretences religiously honest, masking Treacherous and Disloyall Proiects: Neuer lesse your friend, then when seeming most so: He hath a fleeringNoli obscurare faciem, qualis es talis appare. Ba­silius. looke, smooth face, sleeke tongue; can obserue times, and for priuate aduantage (like a second Sinon) vnbo­some himselfe vnto you: There be no windowes in his heart, therefore beleeue him not; if by the transpa­rancy of thy eye thou couldst see into that rotten se­pulchre of his sugred-poisoned hea [...]t, thou wouldst admite so faire and beautifull an out-side, to haue so loathsome & hideous an inside: Better charactred thou canst not haue him then by History, it is the best [Page 118] image of thy life, and can best set out in their owneHistoricall re­la [...]ions, occasi­ons of pub­lique experi­ments. natiue colours such deformed Images. Thy whole life wrap [...] vp in experiments either at home or abroad, cannot tea [...]h thee so much, as one yeares serious dis­course in History will teach thee in one yeare.

LVCID. Scriptis aspiret meis, qui fa [...]et voti [...] ▪