And first concerning Languages.

OF all the chastisements wherewith God hath been pleased to satisfie his Justice, because of the ambi­tion, rebellion, and hardnesse of the hearts of men, the confusion of Languages should seeme to be one of the greatest, except that in the inscrutable secret of God, and in his divine providence the diversity of them was thought necessary even for the good of man, as shall be discoursed of at large in the next Lecture concer­ning the Art of Well-speaking, which will prove to be the most vaste effect of the appetite of man as can be treated of in this world. And that as speech is a generall desire in man, so Well Speaking is hardest to be obtained, because of the difficulties which it meets withall, not only in the interiour and exteriour parts, its Organes, and most necessary instruments, as Divines likewise well know, that it requires those sublime qua­lities which are to be observed in that Element; by the which the cloven Tongues were represented on the heads of the beloved, and chosen, of him that was from all eternity equall with the Divine Author of [Page 4]all things. They will tell you also, that as God brea­thed in man a living Soule, which came from him, and was his immediate act, without the addition of any se­condary cause, and not as the creation of his body, for that God tooke earth for the making of that part of man (which as all things bend to their off-spring, must returne to that from whence it came, the Soule, as Solomon the Wise saith, returning to its great Divine Creator) Language, to be as the Soule of the Soule, at least its interpreter, and therefore it was that a Philosopher said to one that affected silence, Speake that I may see thee.

It was as the Scripture tells us, a speciall, miracu­lous, and blessed operation of the Holy Ghost, a mi­raculous operation indeed; and for the which the Speakers were not only admired, but the Auditors thereby made the more knowing.

Now as all vertuous and knowing men have found by an infallible experience of what excellent and vaste use the Languages are, it may suffice in few words to say, that whosoever speakes divers Languages, may first passe through all the world as a Patriot of it, and never as a Stranger. Call for what he desires, and, say, all what he would have another man to know by him, without submitting himselfe either to the ignorance, or to the malice of any interpreter, freely expose him­selfe to the presence of the greatest Princes, States, and Magistrates, and if need be, plead before them his owne cause, as the great Apostle Paul did; when in other things (concerning these of the world) especially of Trafficke betweene men and men, they may mannage their owne Bargaines, and keepe [Page 5]their owne counsell on paine of secresie.

The experience of the great use of Languages mo­ved a Germane Emperor to cause an Edict to be pub­lish'd, that all Gentlemen should learne and speake five Languages at the least, that thereby they might ten­der themselves the more capable of the publicke em­ployment: The which even the greatest Princes, and the most famous men in all Ages have observed; For that besides the publicke, common, and particular in­terest concerned herein; Its a maine point of honour, as well as of duty, that the Creature should endeavour as much as in him lyeth, to resemble his Maker, who understands all things, and all Languages. All men have a certaine affinity to each other; and is it not a shame, that one brother should not under­stand another. A Neopolitan Courssier understands the neighing of a Frizeland Stallion; and a Constantinopoli­tan Asse, the braying of an Italian Mule. And besides the shame of being ignorant, even the usefulnesse of speaking severall Languages, ought to move all men to confesse that there is an absolute necessity of learn­ing them. And since the knowledge of Languages can be gotten at home; Is it not requisite to addict ones selfe to study such an Art, as may justly move any Traveller to say, not onely with the Philosopher, that he carried all about him; but that he hath a Key in his mouth which will open a passage unto him, which way soever he turns himselfe?

And this he may doe far better, if besides the re­membring of the words, he acquires unto himselfe the manner they must be delivered in; for that its quite different to speake unto a Frenchman, as to a Spaniard; [Page 6]unto an Italian, as to a German; the first will be spoken unto in quicke, witty Language; the Italian in a speech as regular as a paper of Musicke; the Spaniards in a lofty stile, as unto Caesars, and the Germans in a grave accent as unto Senators.

Of Civility.

CIvility is as the soule of man, his best orna­ment; it had its rise in Asia minor, according unto Cicero's observations; It caused Jacob the Patriach (though Bed-rid by sicknesse) to raise himselfe up, at the approach of Joseph his sonne, that with more ease Joseph might imbrace him: It made Ahashuerus rise from his Throne, to stretch forth his Scepter unto Queen Hester: It doth magnetically joyn the hearts and mindes of men: It presents affability to inferiours: It makes equalls serviceable one to another; and it causeth a respectfull obedience from Inferiours, to Su­periours: Now if this be practised by men, before they set forth to travell; they will seldome encounter any scornfull reception, or disdainfull look: And there­fore the Spaniards (who cannot endure to be neglected) observe this rule; that least a stranger might not be ac­quainted with their quality, they will first put their hand to their Hat, that they may not faile of a salute.

Of History.

HOw needfull the knowledge of History is for to be joyned unto these two foregoing quallities of Languages, and Civill conversation. Times out of minde tells us, the holy Writ commands it, and both necessity and use requires it: Both in the first and suc­ceeding Ages, children had it by Tradition, and it was [Page 7]infused into them, as it were, by publicke Songs and Poems, thereby to incite them unto vertuous and ge­nerous actions; Thou shalt shew it, saith the Scripture, unto thy sonnes, and it shall be for a signe unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memoriall between thine eyes, that the Lords Law may be in thy mouth, Exod. chap. 13. v. 8, 9. And it shall be when thy sonne asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this, that thou shalt say unto him, by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of bondage, vers. 14.

As History declares unto all men the marvellous things which God did from time to time, both his graces, and mer­cies bestowed on men; as also the chastisements where­with he visited the Nations for their Rebellion, and for the hardnesse of their hearts. So it makes men to be acquainted with the establishment of Monarchies; their progresses, their wanes, and utter ruine; as also with the revolutions of Ages, vicissitudes, and changes of humane affaires, the very beginning, policy, and go­vernment of all Nations; the diversity of Laws, Man­ners, and Customes: And as in conversation, History is a great and fair ornament unto all men; so it is most profitable to all those whom God hath appointed to be Rulers over them; for that it denotes what is past, what is certaine, and what is most profitable, in those things which concerne the Government, the preserving of Amity with Neighbours; the securing of the State a­gainst Invasions, and the meanes to preserve both cre­dit and reputation.

Now if so be a Gentleman have Languages, and if he be so fitly instructed, before he sets forth to tra­vell, he will soon attract unto himselfe the eares of all [Page 8]men, and will likewise make a deep impression in their good opinion and love, especially when he shall have a generall knowledge of all the other qualities requi­site in a compleat Gentleman.

The use of Arithmeticke.

ARithmeticke doth not only teach the procee­dings, properties, and the practicall part of Numbers, but also resolves all sorts of questi­ons; not only concerning Trade, but also touching the most noble and excellent parts of the Mathema­ticks. And as in the first place, experience tells all Ne­gotiants, how necessary it is for them to know how to cast their owne accounts, and how great a pre­judice it is to those that are to seeke therein; so it denotes in the second place, what marvellous questions are resolved by the same, on matters which would o­therwise require a spirit of Divination to finde them out.

Vitravius will tell you how Archimedes by an Arith­meticall conclusion, found out what quantity of Gold King Hirons Gold-smith had stolne, of that part whereof he was to make a Crowne for him, having mixt it with as much Silver as he had taken Gold out of it. And the way how to resolve this task came in­to Archimedes minde, as he was entring into his Bathe, and observing that the water did rise or vent it self by degrees, as his body descended into it; so he conclu­ded, that the same would probably be effected by putting therein a pure Golden Ball, another of Silver, and one of a mixt body; and thus he discovered, that by Arithmeticall rules the question was to be re­solved.

And as Solomon the Wise expresseth, that God hath disposed of all things in a certaine measure, number, and weight; so we must then necessarily conclude, that such a Science is generally usefull, and necessary, like unto a generall Key, for the opening, unfolding, and further proceeding into all the most necessary, and most noble Sciences; which may suffice, as concern­ing the use, and end of Arithmetick.

Concerning the keeping of Bookes between Debitor, and Creditor.

ALL Negotiants know the necessary use hereof; for that a great number of those who have not learned the same, have not only suffered there­by extreamly in severall respects, but divers for want of its knowledge have been utterly ruined, and all their associates, and dependances; so likewise by a great negligence hereof, divers Widowes and Or­phans estates, have been left in a very disputable and disorderly condition, for the sole want of an orderly and methodicall manner of keeping of Accounts; the which could not be rectified, though divers expert men had imployed much time both in the examining, and redressing of them.

Of Geometry.

PLato's writing on his Schoole, Let none that be ignorant of Geometry enter here, hath often been re­peated to you.

Geometry imparts it selfe, both unto Astronomy, Musick, Perspective, Cosmographie, Geographie, Na­vigation, and the like.

By this same Art the severall wayes of measuring all manner of lengths, heights, distances, and depths [Page 10]are described; as well those which are accessible, as inaccessible. It serves likewise for the description of any place, it is necessary in Fortifications, in the con­veyance of Mines under ground; its likewise necessary in the Art of discharging great Ordnance, and in the discovering of the Ships distances at Sea.

Its requisite for to finde out the meanes, and rules how to measure all sorts of Plaines, Convexes, or concave superficieses; as likewise those which are compounded either of streight or circular Lines, or mixt with both; it denotes the disposall of all sorts of Ground-plots, either of Fortresses, Castles, Townes, Cities, and Pallaces. It is necessary for a Generall of an Army, or any other Commander; thereby to know how to order a fit stand for his Battalions.

Its likewise usefull to divide grounds either before, or after Inundations, which may have washt away or defac'd the bounds, and Land-markes; it describes the exact measures of solid bodies, whether regular or ir­regular; for to order and delineate the severall quan­tities and proportions of all parcels appertaining to any kinde of building.

So likewise without Geometry its impossible to at­taine to the knowledge or understanding of the best, and most famous Authors, who have written on the Mathematicks, as Euclide, Archimede, Appolonius, Pergeas, Diophantes, Ptolomie, and divers others; neither can any one without the same Art, measure the su­perficies, dimensions, solidity, and extent of the Ter­restriall, nor Celestiall Globe, for as a necessary com­passe, it seemeth to be like unto a Ladder, for to ascend unto the knowledge of those great heavenly [Page 11]constillations, the Sunne, the Moone, the Planets, and the fixed Starres.

Of Cosmography.

WE shall now treat of Cosmography, a Greek word, signifying the description of the uni­versall world; a study which raiseth the minde of man from the Earth unto the Paradise of Angels, that of the blessed, the Throne of the Almighty; and as on the aspect of those heavenly Creatures, it may be most properly said; Cum respicio Coelos tuos, opus di­gitorum tuorum, Lunam & stellas quas statuisti; quid est mortalis quodmemor sis ejus aut filius hominis quod visites eum: When I consider the Heavens, the workes of thy fingers, the Moone and the Starres which thou hast ordained; what is man that thou art mindfull of him, or the Sonne of man that thou visitest him, Psal. 8. ver. 3. & 4. So likewise may they serve to conclude, Invisibilia enim Dei a creatura mundi per eaquae facta sunt, intelecta conspiciuntur, sempiterna quoque, & jus, virtus, & divinitas; The invisible things of his are cleerly seene, even from the creation of the World, being understood by the things that are made, Rom. ca. 1. v. 20. And this study leades the mindes of men to an admiration; so much beyond all other things, as the Heavens are above the Earth. It teacheth us, that it is God who hath given a Law unto the Starres, and an in­fallible order, which doth manifest how he moves by seconda­ry causes, which he hath ordained, and establisht; and how he governs the inferiour Orbs, making them sub­ject to mutations; And that he permits men to be verst in the severall aspects of these Celestiall Crea­tures, that the knowledge hereof may oblige us to [Page 12]seeke him incessantly; chiefly when those aspects doe threaten us with his displeasure: As also to render thankes and praises unto him, when their constellati­ons doe appeare favourable and gracious unto us; which is the saving profit that is to be made by this study, and waving all those fond fancies of mens wits of the time, who by the new perspective glasses of their besotted imaginations frame a new world in the Moone, as the other Heriticks of Copernicus his Sect, and such as seeme to beleeve that the Sun is a fixt Center, and the World to be like a joynt of meat spitted, which turns and windes about it; besides divers other speculations, that the number of the Heavens and Starres should not have been well calculated; questioning the plurality of Heavens, and whether the Starres, as in a liquid Christall, doe flow, and swiftly slide along; whether the different motions of the Starres agree with the violence of the Suns beames, and answer unto its repercussions, rendring them sta­tionaries, or retrogrades, where withall the empti­nesse is filled; whether or no, the matter of Heaven can endure more or lesse penetration, then the water, the aire, or the fire can; since that all things are ei­ther heavie, or light, and that so the Starres being of a light substance ought to ascend up, or to descend if so be they were of a heavie matter.

Of Geographie.

AS History representeth unto man all the marvel­lous workes which God hath done from time to time; so Geographie is as the eye of man, or as the Looking-glasse of History; for that it doth represent unto him in a moment, the most accomplisht [Page 13]Master-peece of all the marvellous works which God hath created: And certainly the question will not prove impertinent, whether it would not be an even lay, either to have eyes, and to bee unwilling to see the workes of God, or to see them, and to have no minde to consider what they are: And what shall Lovers of knowledge say of those, who are heires to faire houses, and estates, and who have not the curiosity to know their dimensions, distincts, and extents. What shall Lovers of Vertue and Know­ledge say unto those, who account themselves to be as it were at Gamaliels feet, and remaine far more igno­rant then those who never came neare him, even such as should take roomes in the famous Universities of this Land, and neare unto the noble Innes of Court; and would not apply themselves to the Sciences that are profest in them; shall the rationall creature be pla­ced in an earthly Paradise, and not delight in its ob­servance?

Shall any man indued with reason, runne from home to heare strangers tell him, how his fathers house is built, and how his lands doe lye. Geography should be as familiar to every Inhabitant of the earth, as his chambers Looking-glasse is, in the which he delights to see his owne face; and so much the more, since by the said study, he may attaine to the knowledge of all the Inhabitants possessions of the earth; and that at his first setting forth, he may appeare to be an heire of all the world, and no stranger; but that he can make eve­ry place his owne home; and that he can make himself to be as welcome in any part of Europe, as at his owne home, by letting men see, that he hath studied what [Page 14]they are. And as by the said knowledge men attaine not onely unto the knowledge of the repertitions, of the earth, of the variety of Nations, Lawes and Customes, of their Maximes, but also of their wealth, and commodities, and how they must be dealt withall, and also how to take all fit advantages against them; so every Student in that Art, may without stir­ring from his Chamber, travell through all the world, and in his minde converse with all the Princes in the world, as well as with all the severall Nations, and In­habitants thereof.

He will soon represent unto himselfe all the prin­cipall parts in Asia, those of Africa, those of Europe, and America; with all the Islands, Seas, and Rivers; and insensibly beget in himselfe a generall acquain­tance of all what those severall parts of the world doe possesse: If so be he may be justly moved to procure unto himselfe as much as possibly he can, all those laudable and necessary quallities, which all other Na­tions doe value; and for the want of which, he is by some esteemed no lesse then a bruite. Neither shall we need to exclude the most eminent persons; nay such Princes as are not verst in them. When the Grand Signior himselfe, by the fundamentall Law of his Em­pire, he must practice not onely a Science, but a Trade, and must put his worke to sale: Amongst the Roman Emperours there were those who have publickly acted and sung: Others, did Draw, Paint, Limne, In­grave, were Turners, and made Watches: And who but the noble Egyptians were at first permitted to study Astronomy: They were Kings, as the Wise men who had seen the Starre of the Sonne of Righteous­nesse.

Of Musicke.

HOw Musicke time out of minde, hath been che­rished by the great ones of the Earth wee all know, and what is due to that Art; for that it came downe from Heaven to denounce the birth of his onely Sonne, before whose glorious Divine Majesty, legi­ons of Angels covered their faces; and do sing a perpetuall heavenly Hallelujah; And as in an harmonious Con­sort, the Singers, and the Royall Prophet became for that time companions in one Chorus; so the poorest of this world by singing the praises of our God, will be­come the companions of Angels, and Arch-angels by a ge­nerall Laudate Dominum.

And in this manner all men may make themselves happy by all the vocations, and unto whatsoever Art or Science, they may addict themselves, so they can resolve to doe that, in this present time, which the holy Writ foretelleth, both of an Age, and of Nati­ons yet to come, in a new world; One day of which shall be as light, as the light of seven dayes, and that in those dayes God shall be praised by all things whatsoever men shall take in hand.

And then doubtlesse Arithmeticke will serve unto all men, for to reckon the number of their dayes, to apply their hearts unto wisdome: Geometry, for to know how to leavie unto each man his owne: Cosmo­graphy, to direct the eyes of the soule towards the Garden of Angels, and there to delight perpetually in the admiration of him who hath made those great and glorious heavenly creatures: Geography, to admire the extent and variety of Gods admirable riches be­stowed on the sons of men.

The Art of Perspective, consisting in Points, and Signes, to fixe mens Meditations perpetually on God, by an uneffable assurance, that all the traces of mans life shall be perfect, so they have God for their Dire­ctor, and Center. So likewise all other Arts, Scien­ces, and Mathematicall conclusions, and expedients, may serve like unto so many steps, for to lead the mind of man into a condition to love wisdome, which is to be valued above all things.

Even those parts of the Mathematicks concerning the Military Art, will induce a man to what is above said; For that God is the Lord of Hosts, and Battels, and its he whom the Royall Prophet David sought for to teach his hands to war, and his fingers to fight.

It was his will that Moses and his owne chosen peo­ple should heare his voice amidst the thunder, and lightning, and the mighty sounds of Trumpets, he sent his Angels before his Host, and conducted the same by a pillar of fire. So that all Sciences having their warrant and being established by the Almighty, they are to be searcht into, learned, and practised by all men, that may be capable of them, and without any exception of persons; for as all Arts and Sciences are derived from him, who is the sole giver of all good gifts; so they are all celestiall by extraction, honour­able, beneficiall, and warrantable, their abuses ex­cluded.

Ingraving, and Drawing, had its first off-spring in the person of Bezaleel of the Tribe of Juda, and Aza­liel of the Tribe of Dan, who wrought at the Arke of God; as Hiram of the Tribe of Naphthali, did at the Temple of Solomon: And how usefull it is to any man to [Page 17]have an insight in that Art, experience tells those, whose occasions require them to leave unto their po­sterity, to their native Country, Families, or Houses, most durable tokens, signes, and monuments of their once being.

Of dancing among the other exercises of the body, the Academy is not desirous to say any more then what is warranted by the holy Writ, That King David and Miriam Aarons sister, were moved by a pious zeale to dance before the Lord. And doubtlesse their Dances were neither Galliards, nor Sarabandes, Pavans, nor Coranto's; Yet as their dancing is to be supposed to have been more free from pride then now adayes they are; so it is as likely they were gracefully performed, with agility and dexterous carriage of body, usefull in that regard; the abuse being severed from it, as drun­kennesse, and gluttonnes from Feasts. And that in them the saying be observed, sive editis, sive bibitis, sive quid facitis, Omnia ad Dei gloriam facite. Which if it could be observed in dancing in these times, the Academy would with more confidence maintaine the practice thereof, to be more requisite, as a necessary means to prevent those stinging whisperings, which al the care of Parents cannot save their Daughters from, at publick meetings, where if there be no dancing (which is a re­creation by all men seen.) Young men will be apt to buz in Maidens eares that which cannot be heard, and that which very oft strikes a dangerous sting even to the very heart.

Of naturall experimentall Philosophy.

THat we may not passe in silence, an Art as profit­able, as delightfull; to wit, Naturall experimen­tall [Page 18] Philosophy, we will give you a briefe touch there­on.

Philosophy, in the first degree, it is in effect the love of wisdome, giving man an universall knowledge of all things; the summe whereof is, that of a primary cause; to wit, God.

The second part of Philosophy, affords unto men, se­verall means, serving to the enriching of noble and profitable Sciences, such as are the preserving and re­storing of mans health, the reducing both of Medica­ments, and certaine kinde of foods, into a smaller bulk, and into a more pleasant substance, the diversifying of severall plants and flowers; their speedier production, then is usuall in ordinary Gardens.

The mixing of severall fruits, by the way of cer­taine graftings, and inocculatings; and so, as it were producing new kindes of them.

The preserving of divers kindes of fruits, and flow­ers, in such seasons, as they are not usually seen. The improving of barren soyles, and enriching of leane grounds.

The way to preserve the fruits of the earth from those inconveniences whereunto they are otherwise subject, and whereby many times, men chance to lose that in one day, or in one night, which they have been hoping for, and expecting a whole yeare, &c.

Now certainly, as the afore-mentioned Arts and Sciences, are necessary inducements for to enrich the minde of man; so the exercises of the body, may be ac­counted no lesse just and requisite, the unnecessary abu­ses being severed from them, in that they perfect man in his carriage and behaviour; even as the knowledge [Page 19]of Arts and Sciences adorne, and sharpen a mans under­standing, making him the more capable to give di­rections in all the particulars depending of them, and the which are derived from them.

Be it, to provide a defence for his own City or par­ticular habitation, either against a particular or com­mon Enemy; be it, to attach any place with the least hazard or danger; Fortification affords him necessary rules, and succinct moddels.

Be it, to meet his Enemy in a single combat, Fen­cing is the Art, which the first Law of Man, and Na­ture, selfe-preservation, commands him to learn be­times, whether on foot, or on horse-back. And in this, the Art of wel-riding, is altogether necessary, not that Art which consists in the running of so many miles in an houre, nor to make a horse, as Bucephalus, to know Alexander, or as the horse Baziart did his valiant Ma­ster Cida; but to manage a horse well, to teach him to turne and winde nimbly, and so a man may take the best advantage on his Enemy.

And though it should happen, that the occasions of fighting on horse-back, might chance to be taken away; yet the skill of a good Rider shall never be re­jected, since that it alwaies is requisite, for to make that creature (so necessary, and naturally proper for the use of men) the more manageable to all commodious and recreative exercises, &c.

And thus we shall finish this Lecture for the present, having briefly treated on the most inseparablest pro­perties unto all those Sciences and Arts, to be taught in this Academy, Viz. Languages, Arts, Sciences, and Noble Exercises, &c.